DOJ, DILG form team to probe Sulu sultan, supporters

(Updated 3:32 p.m.) The government has formed a fact-finding committee to determine the possible criminal charges against Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his men for refusing to end the standoff with Malaysian authorities in the disputed territory of Sabah. The fact-finding committee — formed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) — would be composed of members of the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). "It's important to undertake a case build-up para pag [we filed the case], airtight at malakas ang ebidensya. That's why we created that joint committee of the PNP-NBI-CIDG," De Lima said. "Now kung talagang based on the evidence, based on facts and evidence gathered ay may linabag talaga sila na provisions of the law... then mandato rin naman ng mga nagi-imbestiga na 'yan na mag-file ng appropriate charges para mag-undergo ng preliminary investigation," she added. Among the charges that Kiram and his supporters could face are violation of Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code (Inciting to war or giving motives for reprisals), illegal possession of firearms, and illegal assembly. Asked if rebellion charges would be included, De Lima said "possibly" but added that the ongoing investigation has to be completed first. The task force is required to submit a report soon on the issue, whether preliminary or final, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in an interview on Thursday. De Lima said the team is already preparing subpoenas to people being suspected to be the "financial backers" of Kiram's group. "Subpoenas will be issued to those involved or would-be respondents in the charges to be filed later, while invitations would be for possible resource persons and personalities with information or leads that can guide investigators," she said. "Aside from the principal players of this incident, interesado talaga natin malaman kung sino pa ang mga nasa likod nito. Kung mayroong nasa likod nila, kung sino ang nagsusuporta sa kanila, sino ang nag-uudyok sa kanila at sino talaga ang nagsusuporta sa kanila to this day," De Lima said, adding that investigators are following leads on certain personalities. She did not identify any. President Benigno Aquino III had earlier refused to confirm reports that some powerful backers are helping Kiram to allegedly derail the peace process in Mindanao. Aquino, instead, cited information indicating the Kirams are not in very good financial condition. He also said there was "quite a large amount of money involved" in sending the followers to Sabah.   "Hence the first logical question would be, where did the funding come from and who is funding them?" he said. "And who is funding them? So it seems clear at this point but we are still collating evidence that this was not an action just on their part." De Lima also opened the possibility of encountering a delay in bringing back the armed group to the Philippines, in case Malaysian authorities eventually decide to file their own charges. "If Malaysian authorities will decide to file charges... kahit mayroon silang kaso dito, eh baka di natin sila agad makuha," she said. The group of Filipinos claiming to be supporters of the Sultan of Sulu arrived in Sabah earlier this month and have since engaged Malaysian authorities in a standoff.   The group, led by Kiram's brother Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, arrived last Febrary 9 at the coastal Kampung Tanduo and stressed they would not leave Sabah as they consider it their “homeland.” Sabah, located in the island of Borneo close to southwestern Mindanao, is territorially disputed by the Philippines and Malaysia. A Philippine claim for sovereignty over it has lain dormant for decades, but Malaysia continues to pay a yearly rent to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, who claim to be the descendants of the original Filipino sultan who had control over the territory for centuries.   Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein earlier reiterated that Malaysian forces are in control of the standoff, and will ensure the nation's sovereignty and security. — KBK, GMA News