PHL asks Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with sultan's group

(Updated 4:04 p.m.) The Philippines has asked Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the remnants of a Filipino group that arrived in Sabah three weeks ago and engaged Malaysian police in a firefight last week. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario also flew to Kuala Lumpur Monday in an attempt to end the violence where at least two dozen people from both groups have been killed. Before flying to Malaysia, Del Rosario met with Malaysian Ambassador Zamri Kassim to hand over a note verbale (diplomatic note) stating that “the governments of the Philippines and Malaysia both value the lives of their citizens, and share the same objective of preventing further loss of lives and further bloodshed.” "Therefore, the Philippine government requests the Malaysian authorities to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the remaining members of Kiram's group," said Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez at a briefing Monday. At least 180 followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III have been holed up in Sabah for weeks, surrounded by massive Malaysian forces, in their effort to resettle and fortify the Sultanate of Sulu’s claim to the territory located in Borneo Island. The group, led by Kiram's brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, refused to leave until the Malaysian government heeds their demand to re-open talks on unresolved claim of the sultanate on Sabah. Jamalul Kiram III, 74, claimed to be the heir to the Islamic sultanate of Sulu, which once controlled Sabah and islands in Mindanao. The standoff culminated in violence Friday when Malaysian police stormed the Filipino group's lair in the coastal town of Lahad Datu, resulting in 14 deaths — 12 Filipinos and two Malaysians. Del Rosario's departure came after a second major encounter erupted Saturday night, further increasing the death toll. Citing a report of Philippine Embassy officials and the information gathered directly from the Special Branch Operations of the Malaysian police, Hernandez said six members of the Malaysian police and 11 Filipinos were killed in a fresh altercation that has spread to the Malaysian town of Semporna on Sunday. Deeply regrettable “The loss of lives in Sabah is deeply regrettable,” Hernandez said. “We offer our profound condolences to the families of the victims of this unfortunate incident.” Malaysian authorities said the situation is under control, Hernandez added. While in Kuala Lumpur, Del Rosario will meet his Malaysian counterpart Foreign Minister Anifah Aman “to continue discussions on how to avert further loss of lives,” Hernandez said. Hernandez said Del Rosario will personally convey to Anifah Manila’s request to allow a Philippine ship to dock in Lahad Datu to provide humanitarian and medical assistance to the wounded Filipinos. The ship’s entry to Lahad Datu, Hernandez said, will “enable the Philippine medical personnel aboard to provide humanitarian and consular assistance and provide medical care to the wounded and ferry them and the remaining members of the group back to their respective homes and families.” “The Department of Foreign Affairs appeals that these requests be granted as soon as possible and that these be conveyed immediately to the relevant authorities,” Hernandez said. Del Rosario, he added, will also ask the Malaysian side to give him a full account of the incident. — Michaela del Callar/KBK, GMA News