PNoy: Yes to diplomacy, no to violence in Sabah

Diplomacy, dialogue, rules based approach not saber-rattling and violence.

This is how government is handling the issue of Sabah, President Benigno S. Aquino said during the commencement exercise of the Philippine Military Academy Pudang Kalis class ng 2013, Sunday even as he assured government has not given up its claim on Sabah.

"Tingnan po natin bilang halimbawa ang situwasyon sa West Philippine Sea. 'Di ba't gaya nang sa Sabah, paninindigang nakatuntong sa isang rules-based approach, at nakatuon sa mapayapang resolusyon, ang ating
isinusulong sa Bajo de Masinloc? Kung dadaanin ito sa pagka-maton at pangangahas, lolobo lang ang problema, at malamang ay maipamana lang din ito sa susunod na salinlahi," the President said.

(Let us look at the situation in the West Philippine Sea as an example. Is it not true that, like in the issue of Sabah, we continue to hold firm to principles founded on a rules-based approach, towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute over Bajo de Masinloc? If we were to resort to saber-rattling and violence, the problem would only grow bigger, and in all likelihood, would only carry over to the next generations," the President said.)

The President also assured the government has not given up its claim on Sabah but is working on a "careful and truthful evaluation of the facts, and a subsequent negotiation along those lines, to produce the
right solution."

"May Pangulo ba ng Pilipinas na basta-basta lang ding bibitaw sa isinusulong na pagmamay-ari nito? Kayo nga po ang lumagay sa lugar ko: lehitimo man o hindi ang hinaing ng mga nagtungo roon, paano ito titimbangin sa harap ng buhay at kabuhayang malalagay sa peligro kung magsimula ang hidwaan?…Ang kailangan: masinsin at tapat na pagsusuri at usapan, upang mahinog ang tamang solusyon." the President said.

("Is there a Philippine President who would, without a second thought, give up our claim? I ask you to consider my position: whether or not the claims of those who went to Sabah are legitimate, how does one weigh actions against the lives and livelihoods that are put in danger, should an outright conflict begin?" What is needed here: a careful and truthful evaluation of the facts, and a subsequent negotiation along those lines, to produce the right solution, the President said.)

The President said that earnest dialogue has proven to be more effective, more productive and more beneficial as government works for Bangsamoro to progress.

"Nakita na nga rin natin sa mga positibong bunga ng pakikipag-usap sa mga kapwa natin Pilipinong nais isulong ang Bangsamoro: Mas epektibo, mas produktibo, at mas kapaki-pakinabang para sa lahat ang taos-pusong diyalogo, kaysa pagtutok ng armas sa isa't isa," he said.

He added that forbearance and reason are not equivalent to cowardice – on the contrary, "these are the measures of true courage and resolve, because through these we are able to consider the well-being of not only those living in the here and now, but especially those in the years to come."

"Ang hinahon at katuwiran ay hindi katumbas ng kaduwagan – bagkus, ito ang sukat ng tunay na tapang at paninindigan, dahil sa ganitong paraan, naisasaalang-alang ang kapakanan hindi lamang ng mga nasa
kasalukuyan, kundi lalo na ng mga darating pa sa kinabukasan, "the President added.

On February 11, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, leader of a group of armed members of the so-called "royal army" of the Sultanate of Sulu occupied a coastal village in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Reports said, the group went there to revive the Sulu sultanate's long-dormant claim to Sabah, without the Philippine government's knowledge.

President Aquino appealed to Kiram to recall his followers and to hold dialogue with the government to address his family's concerns. Aquino said that the longer Kiram's followers stay in Sabah, the more they endanger not just their own lives, but also those of the thousands of Filipinos living and working there.

Simultaneously, government has been appealing to Malaysia to extend their deadline. But the call was not heeded by the followers of Kiram.

On March 1, three days after Malaysia's extended deadline for the group to leave Lahad Datu, fighting erupted between Malaysian security forces and Kiram followers. (PNA)