PNoy vows legal assistance to Pinoys charged with terrorism in Sabah

President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday assured the eight Filipinos chraged with terrorism in Sabah that the Philippines will extend all the necessary legal assistance they may need, even if the government disagrees with their cause.

 

“Automatic na bibigyan natin ng legal assistance kung sinumang kababayan natin ang humaharap sa pagsasakdal, regardless kung naniniwala tayo doon sa pinaglalaban nila o hindi,” Aquino said in a chance interview with reporters in Naga City, following the groundbreaking of the Jesse M. Robredo Monument and briefing on the proposed Jesse M. Robredo Museum there.

 

Aquino added that the Philippine government has an obligation the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III since they are still Filipino citizens, despite their actions.

 

“May obligasyon tayo na pangalagaan ‘yung kanilang mga karapatan, at nakatutok na diyan, siyempre, [ang] Foreign Affairs [Department] at katulong ang DOJ (Department of Justice,)” the President said.

 

Earlier, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said the administration continues to verify the actual charges filed against the eight Pinoys, saying the government will not rely on media reports from Malaysia. “Inaalam din [natin] ang mga nilalaman ng mga kasong inisampa laban sa kanila, sapagka’t hindi sapat na ibatay ang ating posisyon at pagkilos sa mga inilathala o ipinahayag sa balita,” he said.

 

Information about the crisis in Sabah has been sparse, with Philippine media reportedly being prevented from getting near the action as the standoff between Malaysian security forces and Kiram’s followers turned violent.

 

Some 200 individuals crossed over to Sabah early February to reclaim the area as their ancestral territory. Kiram has repeatedly said his followers will not leave Sabah despite being cornered by security forces. 

 

The Philippine government has yet to confirm the official number of fatalities in the conflict, with figures running from 50 to more than 60. — Patricia Denise Chiu/RSJ, GMA News