MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 6, 2013) – President Benigno Aquino reiterated his administration’s position that the only way to end the crisis in North Borneo is for all parties concerned to sit down and dialogue towards attaining a peaceful and fruitful resolution that is fair to all.
Aquino said all stakeholders should exercise calm, restraint, and come to the table together with open minds for reasonable dialogue to commence.
“Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang panawagan ko sa angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III; hindi risonableng humingi ng pang-unawa kung nakatutok ang iyong armas sa mukha ng iyong kausap. Magsisimula lamang ang risonableng usapan oras na maging handa kayong huminahon at magtimpi, at humarap sa mesa nang may bukas na pag-iisip,” he said.
He pointed out that he was aware that there were “forces” behind Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III’s actions of sending some 200 of his followers to Lahad Datu town in Northern Sabah to press their claim on the territory, saying these forces, who have put in danger some 800,000 Filipinos living and working in Sabah, would not prosper in their plans.
“Mulat tayong may mga taong nagkuntsabahan upang humantong tayo sa sitwasyong ito—isang sitwasyong walang agarang solusyon. Ilan po sa kanila ay nakikita natin, habang ang iba naman ay nagkukubli pa rin sa dilim,” Aquino said.
“Hindi po kakayanin ng angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III na gawing mag-isa ang ganitong uri ng pagkilos. Kapansin-pansin din ang nag-iisang linya ng mga kritiko para gatungan ang malubha na ngang sitwasyon. Pinalubha nila ang isyung ito, at ginagawa nila ito habang inilalagay sa peligro ang daan-daang libong Pilipino. Sa mga taong nasa likod nito, ngayon pa lang, sinasabi ko sa inyo: Hindi kayo magtatagumpay. Pananagutin natin ang mga nagkasala sa bansa,” he added.
Aquino vowed to end the crisis peacefully.
“Gayumpaman, hindi tayo mauubusan ng lakas para piliting tapusin ang kaguluhang ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Simple lamang po: matatapos ang kaguluhang ito kung maging risonable ang mga personalidad na sangkot dito, lalo na ang mga taong ang tingin nila sa kanilang sarili ay tunay na pinuno,” he said.
He did not say who was behind or funding the Sultanate of Sulu, but he ordered authorities to investigate this.
Aquino also called on all the 5 governors of the Muslim autonomous region – Dr. Sakur Tan, of Sulu; Esmael Mangudadatu, of Maguindanao; Jum Akbar, of Basilan; Mamintal Adiong, Jr. of Lanao, and Mujiv Hataman – to help in resolving the crisis. The five governors were in the Presidential Palace in Manila when Aquino renewed his appeal to the Sultanate of Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner)
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