tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69794658234996686302024-03-13T21:50:16.095-07:00SABAH CLAIM SOCIETYSABAH CLAIM SOCIETYNEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-19380884860475133522016-05-30T06:41:00.003-07:002020-02-29T02:35:27.414-08:001963 MANILA ACCCORD: KEY TO AVOID WAR OVER NORTH BORNEO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"To honour the 1963 Mani<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">la Accord, which is United Nations Treaty 8029, is key to the legal resolution of the North Borneo/Sabah impasse. Kuala Lumpur must and should accept that a United Nations treaty is not something that M<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">alaysia should scoff at. As<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">k yourselves this<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What good are bona-fide/intern<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ational tre<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">aties if after signing them, the signatory countries refuse to rec<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ognise them and instead, discard them like toilet paper?" Honouring the 1963 Manila Accord is the key to avoid war over No<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rth <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Borneo."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFbhpq8e-a2clF3XS4dD9A4jnPnfyzgLFlytNLK4y5oOVNNoHLmwPH0D2a1ZL5pqJXoA_CX2cXTRy6K-NSyz92i0YegG8zRVlTPAM7Djz9qTfnmnSYBB2qGmW8aM-UZxxF1ZCUJUWMB8/s1600/314736_249734445059045_7635343_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFbhpq8e-a2clF3XS4dD9A4jnPnfyzgLFlytNLK4y5oOVNNoHLmwPH0D2a1ZL5pqJXoA_CX2cXTRy6K-NSyz92i0YegG8zRVlTPAM7Djz9qTfnmnSYBB2qGmW8aM-UZxxF1ZCUJUWMB8/s640/314736_249734445059045_7635343_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture of the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s</span>igning
of the Manila Accord - UN Treaty 8029 on 31 July 1963 by (from left)
President Soekarno of Indonesia, President Macapagal of the Philippines
and Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman of Malaya Federation (precursor to
Malaysia Federation</span></span></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>By Anne de Bretagne</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">For the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sabahclaim/?fref=ts">Sabah Claim Society </a></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">the </span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinesabahclaimforum/">Philippine Sabah Claim Forum </a></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DEFENDERS.OF.SABAH.AND.SPRATLY/">Defenders of the Philippine Sabah & Spratly Claims </a></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">17 June 2013 </span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></span></span><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44mCLT-4qJMJ8FBFH2YLEyYMnTrO2-Ls30zCWLXo2Hy_nQUklibM6-vnLoLu0BFYH5z5EKPSiOD3daHWxC_tLmFmplwzKJnqZlhJqz9VKw_hmyfwlrFCiMQALzsHLVD56vLXG6yRGDEY/s640/Philippines_Sabah_Lopez_Museum.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent">ON 31st JULY 2013 IS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MANILA ACCORD*</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"> <br />
THE ONLY LEGAL SOLUTION TO THE SABAH QUESTION IS TO HONOUR THE MANILA
ACCORD. How? By pressuring Kuala Lumpur to negotiate with the
Philippines. However, there is no way in he<span class="text_exposed_show">ll
that it can happen if President Aquino has put it in his head not to
face the question head on or even just to raise - even with a gentle whisper -
the 1963 Manila Accord with his great friend in Kuala Lumpur, the
not-so-smart (but one who has outsmarted our benighted leader Noynoy at
every turn), the one and only corrupt, the greedy Bumiputra Affirmative
Action-BN leader, ta da da... Najib Razak, the son of the man who
initiated the troubles in Mindanao and caused the Philippines to lose
many of its sons and daughters in what was then called the Mindanao
Secession Wars of the 70s...</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-size: small;">In <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that</span> UN Treaty - 8029<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>also known as the Manila Accord, signed <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on 31 July</span>
1963 by President Macapagal of the Philippines, by future Malaysia
Federation Prime Minister (then Malaya Federation) Tunku Abdul Rahman
and by President Soekarno of Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur recogonises the
validity of the Philippine claim to Sabah and accepts for the Philippine
claim to be pursued. NO QUESTION ABOUT THIS!</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;">One wonders why
and how can Kuala Lumpur outwit us at every turn? Most of the 20 million
Malayans (or Peninsular Malaysians as they are now popularly known) are
not that
smart, in fact, they are rather stupid, are terribly bone idle, but
truly, one
wonders how on earth they manage to outwit and outsmart 100 million
Filipinos, many of whom boast of a certain degree of sophistication be
it in education or in general culture!</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;">The other solution is
for Sabah to withdraw from the UK-engineered Malaysia Federation. There
seems to be a trend towards this today but will all of Sabah agree? Not
sure - Sabahans are just like Filipinos, they are easily conned by nice
words, by good bribes and fight each other most of the time. They are
rather laid back (understatement) so will take a bit of push from
somewhere.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;">The ultimate solution, one might say, is war.
But according to our benighted leader, that's out of the question and we
agree with him. We not only do not have the material capability to go
to war with Kuala Lumpur, it is also almost a certainty that most of our
people will be anti such move. We have seen how PH reacted to
the 'excursion' headed by SJKIII's brother - many of our politicians
and their supporters almost peed in their pants when the Lahad Datu stand off happened... So
let's say, that war is not an option.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;">If only we didn't
have Sulu's Kiram 'intramurals' (the Kiram family bickering, the
infighting, the
'faking' or the usurping of the title of sultan of Sulu by Kiram
cousins, uncles, brothers, etc, etc, etc, with the help of fake or
self-appointed "princes" to confuse the issue) which Malaysia is using
to its great advantage, perhaps, things would
be slightly different. The claim is further buried in the depth of the
Sulu Sea day in, day out, by an extraordinarily weak and inept PH
president, to say the least. Alas! The saying that "united we stand
divided we fall'
is, as always, true.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-size: small;">*Now, here's Section 12 of the 1963 Manila Accord which we can not and should not poo-pooh...</span><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnPDGzkb65259-g3G5qzgY71Sppso-x6ueoDNyedZOO7Pgor34dsN3qXstQBSXlWKr3Dje7vA-1sxqfRpNrC90SjBGIT6-76ZUct7CjIDEG5oPJLy3orZHzinvwyaFly004pdidXDtn8/s1600/314736_249734445059045_7635343_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnPDGzkb65259-g3G5qzgY71Sppso-x6ueoDNyedZOO7Pgor34dsN3qXstQBSXlWKr3Dje7vA-1sxqfRpNrC90SjBGIT6-76ZUct7CjIDEG5oPJLy3orZHzinvwyaFly004pdidXDtn8/s320/314736_249734445059045_7635343_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Section 12 of the Manila Accord - UN
TREATY 8029, signed by three heads of states before the creation of the
Malaysia Federation namely, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soekarno </span>of Indonesia, Rahman of Malaya and
Macapagal of the Philippines, stipulates the following (high<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">light <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ours)</span></span>:</span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>"12. The
Philippines made it clear that its position on the inclusion of North
Borneo in the Federation of Malaysia is subject to the final outcome of
the Philippine claim to North Borneo. The Ministers took note of the
Philippine claim and the right of the Philippines to continue to pursue
it in accordance with international law and the principle of the pacific
settlement of disputes. <b><u>They agreed that the inclusion of North
Borneo in the Federation of Malaysia would not prejudice either the
claim or any right thereunder</u>.</b> Moreover, in the context of their close
association, the three countries agreed to exert their best endeavours
to bring the claim to a just and expeditious solution by peaceful means,
such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration, or judicial settlement
as well as other peaceful means of the parties' own choice, in
conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and the Bandung
Declaration."</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To honour the 1963 <a href="http://defenders-philippine-sovereignty.blogspot.com/2013/06/only-legal-solution-to-sabah-question.html">Manila Accord, which is U<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ited Na<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tions</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T</span>reaty 8029, </a>
is key to the legal <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">resolution of</span> the North Borneo/Sabah impasse.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>Kuala Lumpur must and should accept
that a United Nations treaty is not something that Malaysia should
scoff at. Ask yourselves this: What good <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are </span> bona-fide UN international treaties if, after signing <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">them</span>, the signatory countries refuse to recognise <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">them </span>and instead, discard <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">them </span>like toilet paper?
Honouring the 1963 Manila Accord is the key to avoid war over North
Borneo. Kuala Lumpur must abide by the treaty.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">~~~~O~~~~</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Related blog post: <b><a href="http://defenders-philippine-sovereignty.blogspot.com/2013/04/signing-of-manila-accord-1963-on-31st.html">Signing of the Manila Accord of 1963 </a></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Other links: </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://lopezseum.blogspot.com/2013/02/post-colonial-history-philippines.html"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Post colonial history: British North Borneo/Sabah and the 1963 Manila Accord </span></span></span></span></a></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20550/volume-550-I-8029-English.pdf">UN Treaties </a></b></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-39842288363466584902016-01-01T13:48:00.000-08:002016-01-01T13:48:16.842-08:00"PAJAK" -- THE BONE OF CONTENTION; ANOTHER DOCUMENT WHICH IS A LETTER FROM THE BRITISH COLONIAL OFFICE IN LONDON DATED 1ST NOV 1962 <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchE05-KBrXEntm5ewC5lP6v2IgCLPe20-4_uMpkWmJTew9x8CkcUnTfcwpf5McKXeY7mL4B6FzE3w0c4uP5QXsaku3KVrg1pG7nTy9uXBC_UTqT8s_RNXtA108rtn2QAO9cDmO6vcLGw/s1600/Sabah.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchE05-KBrXEntm5ewC5lP6v2IgCLPe20-4_uMpkWmJTew9x8CkcUnTfcwpf5McKXeY7mL4B6FzE3w0c4uP5QXsaku3KVrg1pG7nTy9uXBC_UTqT8s_RNXtA108rtn2QAO9cDmO6vcLGw/s640/Sabah.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>"PAJAK" -- THE BONE OF CONTENTION; ANOTHER DOCUMENT WHICH IS A LETTER
FROM THE BRITISH COLONIAL OFFICE IN LONDON DATED 1ST NOV 1962 </span></b><br />
<br />
<span><b>NOTE</b>: This document is about the thorny word "Pajak" that was used in
the translation of the Sabah lease agreement between the Sultanate of
Sulu and North Borneo and the private foreign businessmen; note that
even Tunku Abdul Rahman himself, "father of the Malaysia Federation,"
referred to "pajak" in the Sabah lease agreement of 1878 as "rent" b<span class="text_exposed_show">ut
the officials of Kuala Lumpur tried to turn around the damage created
by Tunku Abdul Rahman's announcement by insisting that the lease was a definitive
cession. We are re-posting it to accompany the document unearthed (shown
alongside pink-coloured document) in the British Foreign Office that we
posted earlier on.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span><i>NB:
Transcription of letter (for easier reading) is mine hence any and all
errors of transcription are mine. ~~ Blog Administrator</i></span><br />
</span><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b> ~~~~~O~~~~~</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span> <span><b>CONFIDENTIAL</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
</span></span><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> COLONIAL OFFICE </span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span>GREAT SMITH STREET, LONDON S.W.1<br /> Telephone: [...] 1266 Ext.<br /> 1st November 1962</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>Dear [......]</span><br />
<br />
<span> In connection with the alleged Philippine "claim" to North Borneo there
is one point on which we should be grateful for Kuala Lumpur's
confidential advice.</span><br />
<br />
<span> In paragraph 1, of Kuala Lumpur telegram to
Commonwealth Relations Office No. 625 of the 3rd September in
connections with conversations with Ghangli and Ngah about the Tunku's
unfortunate reference to a "lease" Ghangli is reported as saying that
the Malay word used by the Tunku was "srwa" i.e. "lease" or "rent" and
Ngah is reported as saying that he thought "pajak" and "pajakan"
nowadays meant the same thing though originally they meant more as the
Tunku with his knowledge of Kedah and Penang would realise ..........</span><br />
<br />
<span>
As pajak" is the word in the Deed of Cession of 1878 from which all our
present troubles appear to stem because of its alternative translations
as "grant and cede" and "lease" we were most interested in Ngeh's
remark and we should be grateful if Kuala Lumpur's advice could be
sought on the original meaning of the malay words "pajak" and pajakan".
This original meaning may perhaps be very helpful to us.</span><br />
<br />
<span> I am sending a copy of this letter to Cable.</span><br />
<br />
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span> Yours,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span> (signed) </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span> W.S. Carter</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-size: large;">[Letter addressed to] D.C.R. RODCLIFF [???], ESQ.,<br /> Commonwealth Relations Office<br /> Downing Street,<br /> London, S.W.1.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>~~~~~O~~~~~</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><i>NOTA BENE: The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinesabahclaimforum/"><b>Philippine Sabah Claim Forum</b> </a> is grateful to HM <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001294680599&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A282050685146871%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/rajamudamuedzullail.kiram">Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram</a> for allowing us to avail of documents in his possession pertaining to PH Sabah claim.</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span><b> ~~~~~O~~~~~</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<br />
<i>Related post:</i><br />
</span><a class="ribbon date " href="http://defenders-philippine-sovereignty.blogspot.com/2016/01/good-news-re-north-borneosabah-question.html" itemprop="url" title="2 hours ago"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>GOOD NEWS RE NORTH BORNEO/SABAH QUESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF 2016
</b></span><span class="blog-admin"></span>
</a><br />
<i><br /></i>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOY1xO4wCejYmNqIUHh5fhe1b-R-HyLU4jsTeHZljnmPgVNTC33P1946KyQ9QCe1AG_qA1YBiLV0SaWwB4lDNsB9LgWagmZ9jbdW2MfMxXIcYeOnNtG3IlFgrmChYWFr6x4dvOrNuw3M/s1600/12459831_962049787181502_368167703_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOY1xO4wCejYmNqIUHh5fhe1b-R-HyLU4jsTeHZljnmPgVNTC33P1946KyQ9QCe1AG_qA1YBiLV0SaWwB4lDNsB9LgWagmZ9jbdW2MfMxXIcYeOnNtG3IlFgrmChYWFr6x4dvOrNuw3M/s640/12459831_962049787181502_368167703_n.jpg" width="428" /></a></span></div>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-80675856031880832122016-01-01T07:08:00.000-08:002016-01-01T07:08:19.235-08:00GOOD NEWS RE NORTH BORNEO/SABAH QUESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF 2016<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">GOOD NEWS RE NORTH BORNEO/SABAH QUESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF 2016: </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
have just received the file (shown) from the Royal Sultanate of Sulu
and North Borneo which was unearthed in the British Foreign Office by
the London-based Chancellor of HM Sultan Muedzul Lail T Kiram of the
Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah)... we will communicate the
contents as soon as we receive all the copies of the file. It contains a
full record of the 'concessions' pertaining to 'pajak' (lea<span class="text_exposed_show">se) agreement in North Borneo made by the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo in the 19th century.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebVa9LCopZC64U5-gBeFuggq82dGgvVUoDK3Ev0iXxfJlTQ2ZMdMPNVbusCpRvbzw-U1RIBpqZf1Szkf83xx_bPruv29R906h3RCDZa0MeHjeU7WX75UyoieHQH_4tMgVjV2BdyzgVR8f/s1600/12459831_962049787181502_368167703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebVa9LCopZC64U5-gBeFuggq82dGgvVUoDK3Ev0iXxfJlTQ2ZMdMPNVbusCpRvbzw-U1RIBpqZf1Szkf83xx_bPruv29R906h3RCDZa0MeHjeU7WX75UyoieHQH_4tMgVjV2BdyzgVR8f/s640/12459831_962049787181502_368167703_n.jpg" width="428" /></a>.</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="text_exposed_show">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
NB: JUST SO ALL MAY KNOW -- This is about gathering evidence to
reinforce the claim of the Republic. It is about the arduous task of
assembling documents that will help the Republic reinforce its claim.
People are working hard free of charge to do this, spending their own
money, time, effort to help gather evidence that will help reinforce the
claim of the Republic. The people behind these arduous and painstaking
tasks seek no glory nor recompense, financial or otherwise and will
refuse any if offered... and we personally make a pledge that we refuse
and will refuse any reward, award of WHATEVER NATURE if ever offered to us ... This is all being done for the glory of the Republic! ~~ Sabah Claim Society administrators</span></span></div>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-89793537302077260512015-12-31T15:22:00.003-08:002016-01-01T04:27:54.670-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0WBYMcbl0bzgVSvRgBEK0sk3sCGdmNUxdhV6gnT4SZ5AXgAJigpWd7viymvkns_aW1f8CbTAseF3_OhiO-S1lugbXwYHIs4t0-2JnxKWbZbBpI9HMobj7S5vbJGIVfXU8TY_3UUDsXm3/s1600/Happy-New-Year-2015-hd-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0WBYMcbl0bzgVSvRgBEK0sk3sCGdmNUxdhV6gnT4SZ5AXgAJigpWd7viymvkns_aW1f8CbTAseF3_OhiO-S1lugbXwYHIs4t0-2JnxKWbZbBpI9HMobj7S5vbJGIVfXU8TY_3UUDsXm3/s640/Happy-New-Year-2015-hd-wallpaper.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYs1i2jNnHVtsEjaL_Qz_daWSLY72BF3yZcFsu77tZd8pat9J56EATWA3A0x_ZZ8jDwT-LkNJY4MhhjAi0z3Vp45PVria851UmaRh3IR1-lBjtsXmnevWr1RVaUaXTvDuLlmgPgRwZIqU/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYs1i2jNnHVtsEjaL_Qz_daWSLY72BF3yZcFsu77tZd8pat9J56EATWA3A0x_ZZ8jDwT-LkNJY4MhhjAi0z3Vp45PVria851UmaRh3IR1-lBjtsXmnevWr1RVaUaXTvDuLlmgPgRwZIqU/s640/imgres.jpg" width="547" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sabahclaim/?fref=ts">Sabah Claim Society </a> wishes one and all a happy, healthy and successful 2016! May our tribe increase...</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b> </b></i></span> </div>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-21926738432402172302015-08-23T15:17:00.000-07:002015-08-23T17:31:02.368-07:00SABAH CLAIM REFRAIN: "BLAME SOMEONE ELSE BUT ME"<b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"When Malaya's
Tunku Abdul Rahman went to Sabah before the Sabah referendum in 1962 to talk to
the elders of North Borneo (Sabah), why did not the Philippines and its Government do the same to
organise a campaign in situ to get the Sabahans on side? Why</span> didn't they do it?</span></span></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBzoVXCSwXHHpBrc5xfPEI1Rqr-JQS7AQxRIYbcDNRULBd88-4OwkSK5V6Zsfksyh-l0pPpq2Z6XWKD3CRAFvggpcMzD9YmvtQfvPxeC7KzhHvgInqRqQKT2Sc9t3TlbgqFyNbXPVUxH6/s1600/07ac9ca9091ff6fcadbd9bd69b7913b2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBzoVXCSwXHHpBrc5xfPEI1Rqr-JQS7AQxRIYbcDNRULBd88-4OwkSK5V6Zsfksyh-l0pPpq2Z6XWKD3CRAFvggpcMzD9YmvtQfvPxeC7KzhHvgInqRqQKT2Sc9t3TlbgqFyNbXPVUxH6/s320/07ac9ca9091ff6fcadbd9bd69b7913b2.jpg" width="240" /></a><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By Anne de Bretagne</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">for the Defenders of the Philippine Sabah & Spratly Claims</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and for Sabah Claim Society </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">23 August 2015</span></span></i> </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now, is "blame someone else but me" a distinct Filipino character trait? I'm beginning to think it is! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For
the last few years, the usual refrain when people discuss the Sabah
claim issue is to blame the British for the situation the Philippines
finds itself in with regard to its stale claim on Sabah. Well, well... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Alright,
let's deal with it and throw the Framework Agreement, the BBL, the
entire immobile Sabah claim, the Sultanate of Sulu bickering
(nearly fratricidal crap, etc, etc) and include with them the kitchen
sink at the British. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
agree the British 'created the problem' as many people who have just
recently discovered the North Borneo (Sabah) conundrum </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span data-reactid=".136.1:5:1:$comment1067925949891954_1068511589833390:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".136.1:5:1:$comment1067925949891954_1068511589833390:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".136.1:5:1:$comment1067925949891954_1068511589833390:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".136.1:5:1:$comment1067925949891954_1068511589833390:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$text0:0"> have been spewing all over the place</span></span></span></span>. But here's
what: these Filipinos must understand and admit once and for all that
the
Philippines contributed largely to
that decision that created the problem </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(and continues to contribute unequivocally to the problem TODAY)</span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">But
let's be fair and be a bit more
clever about things. It's nice to have a punching bag or to have a butt
of
"sisi" (much like Noynoy aka as Boy Sisi), in this case, the British,
but we must ascertain that the Philippines, its leaders and its people
aren't at fault either before we cast blame or "sisi" all around.
Anyway, if we want to cast "sisi" all around, here are some real reasons
for you to go and do all the "sisi" you want:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
(1) At the time, i.e., early 60s, Senator Jovi Salonga was working so
hard negotiating
with the Brits, your/our own countryman, Senator Lorenzo Sumulong, a
flamboyant ex-diplomat to the UN (who happens to be the grand uncle of
current PH president, Noynoy Aquino), was going all over the place,
attacking and casting vitriolic heaps of acid via the PH Senate pulpit
to
whip PH Govt and its Sabah claim to extinction. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">He sold the PH claim to
Tunku Adul Rahman, then Malaysia's Prime Minister by acting as the
soon-to-be-created Malaysia Federation's attack dog against the
Government of the Philippines and its claim to Sabah. It wouldn't
surprise me therefore, that like the big powers at the time, the Brits
took this all-Philippine treasonous approach to the Sabah claim,
happening in one of the highest echelons of power, as an excuse to say,
"Bloody hell! You people don't know what you want? Well, I'll decide for
you!" (Let's not beat around the bush, it was an all-Filipino treason
game which must have greatly amused the Brits and the Malayans!) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
(2) Furthermore, if blame has to be cast all around, let's not look far
away.... Our own masters and commanders at the time, the great United
States of America, did not lift a finger, did not do anything at all to
help us convince the British to allow the Sultanate of Sulu to have it
back in 1962. On the contrary, the Americans not only did not pay even
scant attention to this issue but also discouraged us from tackling the
Sabah issue (check out records from as far back as 1957). And one would
have thought that as our greatest allies, they would see our way. But
heck, no...just didn't happen, but you don't see me around blaming the
Americans, now, do you? (Fast forward... In 1967 or 68, it was America
that alerted Britain that Marcos was on a "war path" and so what
happened? Britain tried to show force by landing fighter aircraft on our
own soil. Did America say anything? Nope! Not a word! They were in
cahoots with the UK!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> (3) One important element: </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When Malaya's
Tunku Abdul Rahman went to Sabah before the Sabah referendum in 1962 to talk to
the elders of North Borneo (Sabah), <b>why did not the Philippines do the same to
organise a campaign <i>in situ</i></b> to get the Sabahans on side? Why</span>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Philippine Government was well aware of
what was going to happen but did not lift a finger, did not do anything
and instead, LEFT EVERYTHING TO FATE as in "Bahala na!" The Government
at the time just sat on its big fat ass while the other party, the
Malayans led by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, were going at things hammer and tong
right in the heart of Sabah to convince the Sabahans to join the
soon-to-be created Malaysia Federation. TOTAL PHILIPPINE INERTIA! PH Govt just
didn't go the extra mile even if it meant saving Sabah claim's own skin
for God and country. <i>Parbleu!</i> And you think we are not to blame?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">And I can recite a long series of other "blames" but I won't. I'll stop
at those because they should be enough to enlighten you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">So,
lets be a bit more clever about this, shall we? Because we can't just be
making "sisi" all around like Noynoy does today when things go wrong and believe that it's everybody
else's fault but ours! If you really want to know, we were as much to
blame for being generally do-lally about the claim. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> This "sisi" doctrine seems to be deeply embedded in our psyche but let's get over it and move on!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Let's not allow classic INERTIA (Bahala na!) to overcome us just
because it makes us feel better to whine consistently and to look
back to the past to blame the British for all that has gone badly with
Sabah (of which, I must remind Filipinos, are also largely,
hugely responsible for, anyway) and let this politics of blame stop at
the water's edge! Instead, FIND SOLUTIONS TO HOW TO GET THE BLASTED
SABAH BACK or at the very least, find solutions not to allow this
country to be partitioned by radicals, zealots, fanatics, secessionists,
Malaysian warriors by proxy in the southern Philippines with the
treasonous complicity -- again of Govt officials, elected and appointed!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blaming the Brits for the Sabah debacle <i>ad vitam eternam</i> is not going to help achieve what many Filipinos want, i.e., get Sabah back. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>~~~~O~~~~ </b></span></span>NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-71778086863075042642015-08-21T14:55:00.001-07:002015-08-21T16:52:08.950-07:00UNACCEPTABLE, MR BRITISH AMBASSADOR, DEFINITELY UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR ON YOUR PART TO INTERFERE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF THE PHILIPPINES!<h1 class="title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgts53BTgLfhbDo-IfvBZeCQGgxRtYDprzh2QafJOFqmXFOJp7QtcoCx8MMtlwHQ6V2qTGurkvtP_UT9gzaxRTZO8sZVaSt_N0NJ90SAEqB39YvG3ZaptagMItSnzGo31S0tX30nhpbJnk/s1600/asif-ahmad-600-e1410503243409.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgts53BTgLfhbDo-IfvBZeCQGgxRtYDprzh2QafJOFqmXFOJp7QtcoCx8MMtlwHQ6V2qTGurkvtP_UT9gzaxRTZO8sZVaSt_N0NJ90SAEqB39YvG3ZaptagMItSnzGo31S0tX30nhpbJnk/s200/asif-ahmad-600-e1410503243409.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">British Ambassador
Ahmad</span></span></span></span></b></i></td></tr>
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<i><b><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">EDITORIAL</span></span></u></span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Ambassador
Ahmad, you've stepped out of line -- you have gone one step too far
when you did that. You showed your true colours if I may say and it is
unacceptable that the Foreign Office should keep you on in your Manila
post because you have misrepresented Her Majesty's Government by being
thoroughly obnoxious to your Philippine hosts. And I must warn you that I
wouldn't be remotely surprised if the Philippine Department of Foreign
Affairs summons you for a bit of a lecture on proper ambassadorial
behaviour and wouldn't astonish me in the least if the PH public demands
that Britain recall you!"</span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia13xYPglvS33tUNDXl67oZ0Jd3Hsd-0QbE1LxbwzxIRoyIYjSCMOCwIv8BxIlvC1d1s5Vq4wkhG5o9-wuheOlSFsHQaGW61BjhF96tV0Zx2ex9aHGOQWUoUGtJWhAvlff7fb8ogS7mh4/s1600/album.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia13xYPglvS33tUNDXl67oZ0Jd3Hsd-0QbE1LxbwzxIRoyIYjSCMOCwIv8BxIlvC1d1s5Vq4wkhG5o9-wuheOlSFsHQaGW61BjhF96tV0Zx2ex9aHGOQWUoUGtJWhAvlff7fb8ogS7mh4/s200/album.png" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By Anne de Bretagne</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">for the Defenders of the Philippine Sabah & Spratly Claims</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and for the Sabah Claim Society </span><br />21 August 2015</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
am flabbergasted that not one of the esteemed members and opinion
columnists of the Philippine press has reacted to the news report: "UK
envoy: Lack of quorum on BBL unacceptable; British ambassador Asif
Ahmad was reacting to news reports that the lack of quorum was impeding
the passage of the BBL at the 291-member House of Representatives."<br /><br />But
we on the PSCF say that it is completely, utterly unacceptable
behaviour on the part of the British ambassador to the Philippines to
comment negatively on the internal affairs, workings, governance of a
foreign country like the Philippines! <br /><br />Asif Ahmad, British envoy
to the Philippines, a solid Muslim, born of a Pakistani father who
became a Bangla Desh diplomat took a swipe at the Philippine
legislature's lack of quorum and so was unable to tackle the BBL
question. Note that Britain is one of the countries that
volunteered to be a member of the "advisory" panel that oversaw
Malaysia's engineering of the Framework Agreement.<br /><br />I would not
like to presume that Ambassador Ahmad took a swipe at the lack of quorum
in the House of Representatives that was supposed to debate on the
proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law because he had a personal interest in the
Malaysia-MILF engineered BBL. No, I wouldn't like to assume that at
all! Let me just say outright that while the British ambassador's
remarks were technically right, it is thoroughly unacceptable for a
British envoy to interfere in the internal affairs and workings of a
foreign country where he represents Her Majesty's Government. And I
thought British ambassadors and senior members of the British Foreign
Office were a bit more intelligent! I do believe that it is now
unacceptable that the British Foreign Office should count among them, an
envoy of questionable meddling character!<br /><br />British Ambassador
Ahmad has no effing right to tell us to our face, no matter how noble
his intentions might be that it was unacceptable "that many members of
Congress are not showing up" and to continue with a lecture on how they
do it in the UK House of Commons...Simply unacceptable of the British
Ambassador to do that. What and who gave him the right to say such
things? Certainly not Her Majesty nor Her Majesty's Foreign Office and
definitely not Prime Minister Cameron. So why did he effing open his
mouth to criticise a foreign country's internal governance?<br /><br />To
His Excellency, Asif Ahmad, British Ambassador to Manila, answer this
question: How would the British Foreign Office, let alone the British
public react if the Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St James
(London) stood up at a social function and told journalists that "It is
unacceptable that the House of Commons acts like a circus during Prime
Minister question time"? and if the Ph ambassador added, "Members of the
British Parliament must act mature and not act like spoiled brats."?<br /><br />Ambassador
Ahmad, you've stepped out of line -- you have gone one step too far
when you did that. You showed your true colours if I may say and it is
unacceptable that the Foreign Office should keep you on in your Manila
post because you have misrepresented Her Majesty's Government by being
thoroughly obnoxious to your Philippine hosts. And I must warn you that I
wouldn't be remotely surprised if the Philippine Department of Foreign
Affairs summons you for a bit of a lecture on proper ambassadorial
behaviour and wouldn't astonish me in the least if the PH public demands
that Britain recall you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, Mr Ambassador, take my counsel: Keep calm and shut up!<br /><br /><b>~~~~O~~~~</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />REPORT:</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://globalnation.inquirer.net/127515/uk-envoy-lack-of-quorum-on-bbl-unacceptable#ixzz3jTto7SYs"><b> UK envoy: lack of quorum unacceptable</b></a></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">British
ambassador Asif Ahmad was reacting to news reports that the lack of
quorum was impeding the passage of the BBL at the 291-member House of
Representatives.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">“In
the United Kingdom, either you agree or oppose something. It is your
duty as an elected official to debate and vote. But to hide under a
stone is not doing the job that you are elected to do,” Ahmad told
reporters during a reception he hosted at his residence on Tuesday
night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
House of Representatives is in the process of interpolating the draft
BBL, which was based on the peace agreement signed by the Aguino
administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It proposes
establishing a new, autonomous political entity to replace the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">“It is noticeable that many members of Congress are not showing up, which in my view is unacceptable,” Ahmad said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Britain,
which has its own experience dealing with separatist movements, had
offered the Philippines its advisory assistance in the Mindanao peace
process.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">He cited the processes in the UK that led to the Scotland Independence referendum in 2014.–Niña P. Calleja</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/127515/uk-envoy-lack-of-quorum-on-bbl-unacceptable#ixzz3jTto7SYs</span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
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NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-90453883437496942192015-08-21T10:13:00.001-07:002015-08-21T10:14:08.963-07:00Operation Merdeka and its Filipino unsung heroes killed by Kuala Lumpur<h1 class="title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span class="blog-admin"></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ6FhTsoY8vm2tG3ttAKKmwSCVwC8zomovveymnFZ_CxDhClsS4o4yg3Q2APj-UuYPfyen8I6l_xOthdAKIRTj0NJAe_XrY1PcdKtYD1TpNG041aQYnuXWNaoePioro_HDO22OCnGvxc/s1600/images.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJ6FhTsoY8vm2tG3ttAKKmwSCVwC8zomovveymnFZ_CxDhClsS4o4yg3Q2APj-UuYPfyen8I6l_xOthdAKIRTj0NJAe_XrY1PcdKtYD1TpNG041aQYnuXWNaoePioro_HDO22OCnGvxc/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>"After
nearly 50 years, it's time for the Philippine Republic and its
government to be brave, to admit officially to the world that PH did
plan to 'invade' Sabah -- and not to give a damn about what Kuala Lumpur
might think or say, to open the "official" records and give due
recognition to those 'unsung, under cover heroes' of the Republic, who
had been embedded in Sabah and who were brutally tortured and murdered
by Malaysia's dreaded ISA in the run up to the denunciation of Operation
Merdeka, so that they may finally rest in peace! The Republic owes them
that..."</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>By Anne de Bretagne<br />For the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum<br />for the Defenders of Philippine Sabah & Spratly Claims<br />and for the Sabah Claim Society</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>21 August 2015 </i><br /><br /><br />The
following, in a nutshell, is the "infamous" Operation Merdeka, i.e.,
Philippine plan to recover Sabah (before the plan was scuttled):<br /><br />Operation
Merdeka was originally the brainchild of President Diosdado Macapagal
but its execution was organised by his successor, President Marcos. The
plan was not to wage war against the Suluks in Sabah (Suluks are the
Tausug inhabitants of Sabah) but only to create disturbance in Sabah.
The initial purpose was to INFILTRATE Sabah by sending military trained
Tausugs from Sulu to organise huge rallies, enormous rallies (much like
what Putin did to Crimea) and to catch the Peninsular Malaysians by
surprise... Noting the distance between KL and Kota Kinabalu, Marcos was
banking on the element of surprise, i.e., that it would take Kuala
Lumpur a great deal of time to scramble their fighters and by then
everything would be over. Sabah would be under PH control.<br /><br />Marcos
had a squadron of the the Philippine Air Force which got ready to fly
over Kota Kinabalu and other towns (in a bid to frighten whatever KL
troops or sentries were there) while the infiltrated troops (Tausugs and
their AFP military handlers) were occupying the most sensitive
positions, hoist the PH FLAG atop every point, blast the announcement
over loudspeakers all over Sabah towns... the PHIL AIR FORCE fighter
aircraft then would fly over to signal that Sabah was retaken! THAT WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE OPERATION MERDEKA<br /><br />But as ever, Murphy's military
law played its hand: "Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong!"
because Senator Ninoy Aquino, true to the Aquino clan mantra, would
rather sabotage the plan against his own countrys interest to favour the
Peninsular Malaysians -- God knows we know not why -- just as Senator
Sumulong (his 'uncle-in-law) had done before him and just as his son is
doing today.<br /><br />And what the Filipino public hardly knows about is
what happened after Operation Merdeka was denounced: Filipinos under
cover, on mission for the Republic were captured, ruthlessly tortured,
killed, and are buried in the recesses of Sabah.<br /><br />Understand that
there were already hundreds of PH assets, military and para-military who
had gone under cover and had infiltrated Sabah* (long before the
so-called or the sensationalised "Jabidah-Corregidor Massacre" victims);
they had already been sent to Sabah, had been lying under cover all
over Sabah in preparation for the 'Operation' and who were caught in the
quagmire in Sabah (North Borneo) after Sen Ninoy Aquino denounced the
operation on the Senate pulpit.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kuala
Lumpur's intel agencies, led by Malaysia's dreaded ISA, moved with
lightning speed, captured many of them, tortured and killed many, many
of them -- impossible to determine today the number of Filipino
para-military and military infiltrates in Sabah who were ruthlessly
tortured and summarily executed unless we open PH Government records
officially. A horrendous end for these Filipinos who were on mission for
the Republic but who remain officially nameless today. They were
Filipinos.<br /><br />*NB: These Operation Merdeka assets had already
infiltrated Sabah as moles, plants, sleepers, undercover agents, etc.,
long before the sensationalised "Jabidah Massacre" and were not the
"Tausug trainees' referred to in the Corregidor-Jabidah Massacre episode
exposed by Senator Ninoy Aquino and who were still being groomed
precisely to join these assets that had already been embedded in Sabah.
The embedded assets in Sabah fell victims to Malaysia's killer hands
following the denunciation of the Operation in the Senate by Senator
Ninoy Aquino.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Until
today, many of -- if not all, those nameless PH casualties cannot be
officially recognised by our government, cannot be given proper burial,
or even just be given proper honours, because to officially recognise
them as Operation Merdeka heroes, PH must admit to having planned and
partly executed the invasion of Sabah and that just cannot be done
according to PH government. So, today, there are many unsung heroes,
casualties of this "silent, undeclared war", buried in Sabah without
recognition from their government for what they have done in the name of
the Republic. But Malaysia knows the crimes it has committed on these
people in 1968 and knows that PH doesn't give a damn about them.<br /><br />It's
time to face what happened in Sabah after the scuttling of Operation
Merdeka nearly 50 years ago to honour those Filipinos who were sent on a
covert mission but never came back because they were captured, tortured
and killed by Malaysia if only to give them proper burial.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
almost 50 years, it's time for the Philippine Republic and its
government to be brave, to admit officially to the world that PH did
plan to 'invade' Sabah -- and not to give a damn about what Kuala Lumpur
might think or say, to open the "official" records and give due
recognition to those 'unsung, under cover heroes' of the Republic who
were brutally tortured and murdered by Malaysia's dreaded ISA in the run
up to the denunciation of Operation Merdeka so that they may finally rest in peace! The Republic owes them that...</span></span></div>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-38011801402953347622015-05-21T16:14:00.001-07:002015-05-21T16:14:43.376-07:00YES TO PEACE, NO TO BBL MANIFESTO<h1 class="title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span class="blog-admin"></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7OTHi7Dw-97NDcY5i3hhFJ9jvHkmh3ZKbWhvHoUPZkXhcai4w6ygOZPPeNmq19I4CtDaPS94C9-bBG03Rza3wzXORXPCHvi-twUv4cfwKJa-A4Hqs_4l9U_aiM4spGtXkJkjtOm3pkQ/s1600/FORMA11265137_10204298833131670_3184732334135714783_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7OTHi7Dw-97NDcY5i3hhFJ9jvHkmh3ZKbWhvHoUPZkXhcai4w6ygOZPPeNmq19I4CtDaPS94C9-bBG03Rza3wzXORXPCHvi-twUv4cfwKJa-A4Hqs_4l9U_aiM4spGtXkJkjtOm3pkQ/s400/FORMA11265137_10204298833131670_3184732334135714783_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Former DILG chief with some members of </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/FORMA-Friends-of-Rafael-Alunan-III/1760136344212029"><span style="font-size: small;">FORMA</span> </a></b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span><i>On
Sunday, 24th May, beginning at 8 AM, Rafael Alunan III, former Interior
and Local Govenment secretary will be leading a prayer rally at the
Luneta Park in Manila under the banner of 'Yes to Peace, No to BBL.' As
the country faces grave threats to its sovereignty, Rafael Alunan III,
one of the major state actors who helped paved the way for the PH
government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to reach a
peace deal in 1996, has emerged as the strongest champion of national
cohesion and is widely recognised today as the most fearless advocate
for maintaining the country's territorial integrity. ~~ Blog
Administrator </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span><span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmxd-QXuz0wrDAMmECTZ8QjconTlpN0i_Wk6Cx2BC-nAv-v-3nBsfd1ckOcRAQpwcOf5rz2o78kgZUPYzgbyGUzerHNMfOPbcJAS85uj5OE_sn3N-6KmMJPmTIPERIgDvbrV-E07fXQ0/s1600/10156108_10202047821337782_1704844368563846136_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmxd-QXuz0wrDAMmECTZ8QjconTlpN0i_Wk6Cx2BC-nAv-v-3nBsfd1ckOcRAQpwcOf5rz2o78kgZUPYzgbyGUzerHNMfOPbcJAS85uj5OE_sn3N-6KmMJPmTIPERIgDvbrV-E07fXQ0/s200/10156108_10202047821337782_1704844368563846136_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>MANIFESTO</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">By Rafael M. Alunan III<br />22 May 2015<br /><b> </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span><b>MAY 24 YES TO PEACE, NO TO THE BBL PRAYER RALLY 8 A.M. SUNDAY AT THE LUNETA PARK</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span><b>YES TO PEACE. NO TO THE BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW! </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span><b>Retain and Strengthen the ARMM and Local Autonomy.</b><br /><br />Today,
we find our nation in peril and our democratic way of life under
threat, both externally and from within. All too often, the common good
and national interests are sacrificed on the altar of political
expediency, corruption and self-serving hidden agendas.<br /><br />Nowhere
is this disconnect from reality more pronounced than on the issue of the
“peace process” undertaken exclusively with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) that produced the Comprehensive Agreement on BangsaMoro
(CAB), and the BangsaMoro Basic Law (BBL), a proposed bill that seeks to
replace R.A. 6734 that created the Autonomous Region of Muslim
Mindanao.<br /><br />We believe that a significant majority in Mindanao, and
around the country, opposes the CAB-BBL because the process was not
transparent, inclusive and thoroughly consultative, not unlike the
MOA-AD that the CAB mirrors, which the Supreme Court struck down during
the term of former president Gloria Arroyo.<br /><br />Yet, government has
chosen to ignore the people’s dire warnings so far to change course in
order to achieve real peace. It continues to press for its passage not
later than June 2015. The Aquino administration is subsequently
violating the Tripoli Agreement and dismissing the 1996 peace agreement
between the government and the MNLF.<br /><br />We are a group of Filipino citizens from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that oppose the BBL for the following reasons:<br /><br /><b>1. MALAYSIA:</b>
The choice of Malaysia as third party mediator was ludicrous because it
is conflicted. Malaysia opposes our Sabah claim and has persistently
undermined our nation's stability as a state that funded, organized and
trained secessionist groups – originally the MNLF and, subsequently, the
MILF.<br /><br /><b>2. BASIC LAW:</b> The nomenclature BangsaMoro Basic Law
(BBL) is in itself, a thinly veiled attempt at usurping the
constitution. "Basic Law" connotes a constitution of a state, in this
case, the BangsaMoro, to which all laws must conform.<br /><br /><b>3. BANGSAMORO TERRITORY:</b>
Sec 2 to 5, Art III of the BBL defines the BangsaMoro Territory and
suggests a separate territorial enclave within sovereign Philippine
territory. It aims to give a homeland to a group that does not represent
the hopes and aspirations of excluded sectors and infested with
Islamist radicals connected to the global jihadist movement under a
caliphate.<br /><br /><b>4. SELF-GOVERNANCE AND RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION:</b>
Sec 1 Art IV speaks of self-governance. Later on, the “RIGHT TO
SELF-DETERMINATION" was inserted showing manifest bad faith on the part
of the MILF. The intent cannot be mistaken for anything but a prelude to
a subsequent declaration of independence or secession.<br /><br /><b>5. A PARLIAMENTARY FORM OF GOVERNMENT:</b>
Sec 2 Art IV of the BBL prescribes a parliamentary form of government
that contravenes Section 1 Art 2 and Sec 1 Article VI of the 1987
Constitution, which mandate a Republican and Presidential form of
government.<br /><br /><b>6. BANGSAMORO POLICE AND BANGSAMORO COMMAND:</b>
Sec 2 Art XI creates a BangsaMoro Police, while Sec 15 Art XI
establishes a BangsaMoro Command both of which will nominally be part of
the PNP and AFP. Their creation constitutes a duplication of sovereign
prerogatives, violating Section 3 Article II and Section 6 Article XVI
of the 1987 Constitution, which recognize the AFP as the sole bearer of
military arms and the PNP as the sole security apparatus of the state,
respectively.<br /><b><br />7. BANGSAMORO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:</b> The
provisions creating a Civil Service (Sec 2 par. 1.8 Art. V); a Police
Board equivalent to the NAPOLCOM (Sec 5 Art XI); a Commission on Human
Rights (Sec 7 Art IX); a Public Attorney’s Office and Prosecution
Service (Sec 18-19 Art X); a Commission on Audit (Sec 2 Art XII); a Tax
Office (Sec.11 Art XII), and a Sharia Judicial and Bar Council (Sec 10
Art 10X), can only be viewed as a clear usurpation and duplication of
sovereign functions and powers.<br /><br /><b>8. WALI:</b> Sec 1 Art VIII of
the BBL, creating the position of WALI or titular head of the
BangsaMoro that mirrors the role of a head of state.<br /><br /><b>9. RELATIONS WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT</b>:
Sec 1-2 Art VI imposes an “Asymmetric Relationship” and “Parity of
Esteem” to govern relations between the proposed entity and the Central
government giving the former equal status and parity with the latter.
With all the elements of a state virtually granted and guaranteed by the
proposed basic law (people, sovereignty, territory and government) the
BBL will create a parallel state and can lead to no other conclusion
other than an eventual bid by the MILF at independence.<br /><br /><b>10. PEACE PROCESS:</b>
We have reason to believe that the process that was undertaken that led
to the signing of the CAB was furtive, not unlike the process that the
Arroyo Administration chose to take in trying to obtain public approval
for the unlamented MOA-AD. Contrary to this administration’s claims, the
peace panel chose to be exclusionary and failed to undertake extensive,
open and transparent consultations of all stakeholders within the area
of interest. The MOA-AD was brought before the Supreme Court where it
was struck down for all the reasons mentioned. The same should be done
to the CAB-BBL.<br /><br /><b>11. INTERNAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY:</b>
The recent massacre of forty-four (44) PNP Special Action Force law
enforcers by the MILF-BIFF and other sympathetic armed groups, has
thrown the MILF-BIFF’s sincerity and trustworthiness further into
question. The MILF-BIFF is connected to the global jihadist movement,
mainly Al Qaeda and Jema’ah Islamiya. Its alleged breakaway group, the
BangsaMoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), has reportedly pledged
allegiance to ISIS. The MILF and BIFF were co-located in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao that provided safe harbor to international terrorists with
bounties on their heads – Marwan and Usman. Granting the MILF a homeland
is akin to putting a revolver to our heads and playing Russian
roulette. Retired Supreme Court Justice Florentino Feliciano said he
does not believe the BBL alone can bring peace to Mindanao. The peace
problem in Mindanao he said “cannot be whisked away by uttering the word
'peace' no matter how often or loudly the utterance might be.”<br /><br /><b>12. CULTURE: </b>BBL
proponents say that ARMM was a “failed experiment” citing the regional
government’s failure to reverse its feudalistic practices, poverty,
economic backwardness, rebellion, terror and revenge killings. Changing
the political system is the recommended solution to its cultural
problem. ARMM’s creation was not an experiment. Its failure lies not in
the political system but in the attitudes, behavior and skills of the
people. Breaking the vicious cycle requires persistent and sufficient
investments in capacity and capability building especially in the tenets
of good governance. This is the real solution to the failure of
governance in ARMM. If the driver keeps crashing the car, the solution
is to retrain the driver instead of changing the car.<br /><br /><b>13. Social Justice:</b>
Proponents say that the BBL addresses the centuries of social injustice
suffered by the Muslims in Mindanao. Social injustice, we maintain, is a
national concern that has bred armed rebellions and social discontent
around the country. Feudalistic practices and the revenge culture are
causes of social injustice. So is exclusion that the incumbent
administration is accused of. In summary, the BBL betrays the public
trust, violates the Constitution; undermines Philippine sovereignty and
places public safety and internal security at grave risk. While the
incumbent administration maintains that peace in Mindanao will be
outgrowth of the BBL, we believe otherwise. <br /><br />The BBL will be the
nation’s undoing. It will inflict more violence and bloodshed; and usher
in the country’s eventual disintegration. Every Filipino seeks an
enduring peace, but not one obtained furtively and ignores the red flags
that could further fragment society, dismember the country and cause
more bloodshed. The Comprehensive Agreeement on BangsaMoro and the
Bangsamoro Basic Law (CAB-BBL), as signed and originally submitted to
Congress, respectively, should be stoutly opposed and rejected. We
implore you, our people’s representatives, to do what is right for the
sake of our people and the nation’s future.<br /><br /><b>~~~~O~~~~~</b></span></span></span></div>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-49787737993209792312015-05-21T14:53:00.001-07:002015-05-21T14:56:33.730-07:00Gising mga Muslim! Ang may pag-iisip ay nag-iisip!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T8SVi7sfARA-cNx6oFWkz3lrhtUPG_2NG41coeULRbARnam6t8mJq-APfDXA_RazCH7DNXB8HdClSW5Y39KOdCGA-I2WIEjnrWshxiRm9Fp5XbR6IVbvXheocdj0rgiQx9c0vy-m3jxW/s1600/11150955_10153319193084394_72745717842578859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T8SVi7sfARA-cNx6oFWkz3lrhtUPG_2NG41coeULRbARnam6t8mJq-APfDXA_RazCH7DNXB8HdClSW5Y39KOdCGA-I2WIEjnrWshxiRm9Fp5XbR6IVbvXheocdj0rgiQx9c0vy-m3jxW/s320/11150955_10153319193084394_72745717842578859_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Dahil ang hangad ng Malaysia ay ang yamang langis at yamang likas mula
sa mayamang lupa at dagat ng Mindanao. Magsisilbi itong anihan ng yaman
para sa mamamayan ng Malaysia sa kanilang pangangailangang mina mula sa
lupa, pagkaing halaw sa bukid at isdang galing sa dagat ng Mindanao."</span></i>
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By E. S. Cruz</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/FORMA-Friends-of-Rafael-Alunan-III/1760136344212029">FORMA - Friends of Rafael Alunan III </a><br /> 20 May 2015</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Alam lamang ng Muslim Mindanao ang laban sa kuffar (Christians/Manila).
Ang tunay nilang kaaway ay Malaysia kahit isa itong bansang Muslim.</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dahil ang hangad ng Malaysia ay ang yamang langis at yamang likas mula
sa mayamang lupa at dagat ng Mindanao. Magsisilbi itong anihan ng yaman
para sa mamamayan ng Malaysia sa kanilang pangangailangang mina mula sa
lupa, pagkaing halaw sa bukid at isdang galing sa dagat ng Mindanao.
Ipinain ng Malaysia ang Muslim Mindanao sa laban sa gobyerno upang
manghinawa ang Muslim Mindanao sa kakayahang mamuno at magbigay ng sagot
ng gobyernong Pilipinas sa pangangailangan ng Mindanao. </span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ngayon
ay ipinalalabas na 'Peace' o Katahimikan sa pag ayon ng gobyerno ng
Pilipinas sa lihim na hangarin ng Malaysia; ang tuluyang paghiwalay ng
Mindanao sa Pilipinas at pagsanib sa Malaysia</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gising mga Muslim!
Ang may pag-iisip ay nag-iisip. May mga bagay ng hindi ninyo gusto
subalit makabubuti sa inyo at may mga bagay na inyong gusto subalit
makasasama sa inyo.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Surah 2. Al-Baqara, Ayah 216</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> كُتِبَ
عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا
شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَنْ تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ
شَرٌّ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ</span><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fighting is prescribed for you and ye dislike it. But it is possible
that ye dislike a thing which is good for you and that ye love a thing
which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Quf al BBL wa Sabru!<br /> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Itigil ang BBL at maghintay. Stop BBL and Wait!</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ang Malaysia ay magnanakaw!/ Malaysia al harami'l kubra!<br /> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ninanakaw ng Malaysia and lupa at langis ng Sabah!<br /> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Isusunod ng Malaysia ang pagnanakaw sa Mindanao!</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ~~~~O~~~~</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <i>The author, </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>an administrator of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/FORMA-Friends-of-Rafael-Alunan-III/1760136344212029">FORMA - Friends of Rafael Alunan III</a>, </i></span>is Muslim and is a staunch advocate of "YES TO PEACE! NO TO BBL" Movement.</i></span></span>NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-49538941247170051212015-02-15T04:50:00.000-08:002015-02-15T04:54:28.698-08:00I ACCUSE GENERAL CATAPANG OF BEING A MORAL COWARD BECAUSE HE DID NOT DARE GIVE THE ORDER<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnNkw61_91UVkp7J2UYWcecHRjEj_zoPfhhwGXhgno_Lg7pLoB2mQVQShgm9CYv5eqfFEp0hHM51bku0CCnGASdRIbgvmbC9JGdIkXzoQzUv_mE9pY0ZejIrwtBfTUhVYX_VmyrrL1V4/s1600/Gen-Catapang-jr.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnNkw61_91UVkp7J2UYWcecHRjEj_zoPfhhwGXhgno_Lg7pLoB2mQVQShgm9CYv5eqfFEp0hHM51bku0CCnGASdRIbgvmbC9JGdIkXzoQzUv_mE9pY0ZejIrwtBfTUhVYX_VmyrrL1V4/s1600/Gen-Catapang-jr.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GENERAL CATAPANG</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>"There's one thing that a senior military commander cannot be and
that is to be a moral coward. That is why senior military people are
held in so much esteem throughout the world because senior military
commanders are expected to make difficult decisions and give orders in
the face of extreme stress or pressures and with huge moral implication because they
pertain to life and death."</b></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>By Anne de Bretagne</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinesabahclaimforum/">Philippine Sabah Claim Forum </a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>and for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DEFENDERS.OF.SABAH.AND.SPRATLY">Defenders of Philippine Sabah & Spratly Claims </a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>13 February 2015</i><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAO8p9vaWzLf3J5tciaKC4aOtimE3mTVt7fwxG5HddH38CGMaU-TWjuknwF83sjrSVgUPwqF2DXQOsxxmxiwxVayDg8ZVbaB2jPqgVDWuGT2MkOFGg-lAJN8HqYj-7rm-4UJQNPMVXiI/s1600/CATAPANG10978558_10203276408094212_1369219802685636728_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAO8p9vaWzLf3J5tciaKC4aOtimE3mTVt7fwxG5HddH38CGMaU-TWjuknwF83sjrSVgUPwqF2DXQOsxxmxiwxVayDg8ZVbaB2jPqgVDWuGT2MkOFGg-lAJN8HqYj-7rm-4UJQNPMVXiI/s1600/CATAPANG10978558_10203276408094212_1369219802685636728_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">General Catapang, chief-of-staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines said that <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/672636/mamasapano-clash-who-told-aquino-when"><b>'he
did not inform President Aquino about the clash Mamasapano clash
although they were aware of it and they were with him all day on January
25'</b> </a> nor of a request for reinforcement at the height of the
deadly encounter with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the
Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front forces that cost the lives of 44
officers and men of the PNP-Special Action Force. Actually <b>the minute
Catapang did not inform the president, he should have realised that he
was already MAKING a command decision and that decision entailed COMMAND
RESPONSIBILITY.</b> He should be relieved.<br /><br />Obviously, General
Catapang (translated in Pilipino, 'catapang' means 'so brave') acted
that way because he had "read" Noynoy's wishy-washy body language and
admitted that he knew of the president's position, i.e., MILF first,
that the so-called peace agreement 'should not be jeopardised' so he did
not make a move nor provide reinforcement. What a disaster!<br /><br />Catapang
should have set aside all that and moved! After all, without a direct
order from the president for the AFP NOT TO MOVE, i.e., that AFP was not
to provide reinforcement no matter what, Catapang should have made his
own command decision to provide reinforcement... He had those four stars
to use as commander of the entire military at that specific instance.
IT WAS REALLY NOT DIFFICULT TO MAKE A COMMAND DECISION at that specific
moment: <b>shots were fired and being fired, help was being asked for, people were obviously dying and would die still!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>I
still can't believe that General Catapang could even dare declare that
the AFP gave no artillery support to SAF to avoid 'war' with the MILF
There they were, the PNP-SAFs being shot at and being killed by combined
MILF-BIFF rebel forces, were clearly under war-like attack, needing
urgent troop reinforcement and at the very least, small artillery
support, eg., mortars, but Catapang withheld that support for what? To
avoid war with the MILF? Avoid war with the MILF? But the MILF-BIFF were
already killing your brothers-in-arms, General!<br /><br />General
Catapang, how do you expect men to obey your command in the future,
fight for you and even prepare to die for you if they believe they might
not get the support they need when they ask for it during the heat of a
battle because of some dubious political consideration?<br /><br />They
were killing your brothers-in-arms, General! How could you not have sent
reinforcement and not given them small artillery support? </b><br /><br />Catapang,
a military officer that he is, should have realised that THE PEACE
AGREEMENT WAS BEING BROKEN AT THAT VERY MOMENT and that by staying mum,
doing nothing could not spell anything but bad poor, execrable military
commander's judgement. He knows and must have known as a four-star
general that the minute shots were fired, the CEASEFIRE WAS BROKEN!
Hence, there was nothing holding back the Armed Forces of the
Philippines from providing reinforcement to their beleaguered colleagues
in the face of the enemy.<br /><br />Therefore, to have refused to provide
reinforcement to his beleaguered brothers-in-arms, clearly under attack,
was a violation of the moral code of conduct of any serving military
officer. This four-star officer should be stripped of his stars and be
sacked!<br /><br />But who will sack him? President Noynoy Aquino? The
commander in chief, who believes that he has no command responsibility
for what happened? The commander in chief who has no clue that the
minute he ordered the other troops to stand down, he was in fact taking
DIRECT OPERATIONAL CONTROL and therefore assumed direct and full
responsibility for the murder of those SAF44... So, never mind Noynoy.
He is useless!<br /><br />As ever, military officers, even if they happen to
have four shiny golden stars on those broad or narrow shoulders (in the
case of Catapang), are only as good as their ability -- or inability,
to be good and brave officers and commanders when the going gets tough.
But there's one thing that a senior military commander cannot be and
that is to be a moral coward. That is why senior military people are
held in so much esteem throughout the world because senior military
commanders are expected to make difficult decisions and give orders in
the face of extreme stress and with huge moral implication because they
pertain to life and death.<br /><br />I accuse General Catapang of being a moral coward, an execrable senior military officer and poor commander!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">~~~~O~~~~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/672636/mamasapano-clash-who-told-aquino-when">Mamasapano clash: Who told Aquino when? </a></b></span>NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-55494445391278982592015-02-12T15:59:00.001-08:002015-02-12T16:01:12.974-08:00Just and lasting peace talks require laying down of weapons<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAmF6xb78Y0OxmyIqd_-NYsxmuHilKVGUQJSOe25B4pBYp7o9BU1dYkJSllUBr__JXlxHu18y38SDSz_N5gcR7UE-PiZeauCd5-YbyvXMe-l8pK5_Wd6XVasrE-ms65v8VVofvk1ObZw/s1600/milf1959236_765049150257017_1734262421469592880_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAmF6xb78Y0OxmyIqd_-NYsxmuHilKVGUQJSOe25B4pBYp7o9BU1dYkJSllUBr__JXlxHu18y38SDSz_N5gcR7UE-PiZeauCd5-YbyvXMe-l8pK5_Wd6XVasrE-ms65v8VVofvk1ObZw/s1600/milf1959236_765049150257017_1734262421469592880_n.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"But
before a just and lasting final peace agreement can be achieved, the
MILF must lay down their weapons -- a 'condition sine qua non',
surrender the murderers of the PNP-SAF44 and recognise and submit
to the laws of the Republic. Without these actions in good faith by the
MILF, all these talks about wanting peace are useless."</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anne de Bretagne<br />for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinesabahclaimforum/">Philippine Sabah Claim Forum </a><br />and for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DEFENDERS.OF.SABAH.AND.SPRATLY">Defenders of the Philippine Sabah & Spratly Claims </a><br />12 February 2015</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mr Iqbal,<br /><br />First of all, thank you for appearing before the nation.<br /><br />You said before the <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/434168/news/nation/full-text-milf-chief-negotiator-mohagher-iqbal-s-opening-statement-during-day-3-of-senate-hearing-on-mamasapano-clash">Congress Mamamsapano hearing today </a></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/434168/news/nation/full-text-milf-chief-negotiator-mohagher-iqbal-s-opening-statement-during-day-3-of-senate-hearing-on-mamasapano-clash">Congress Mamamsapano hearing today </a> that: <b><i> </i></b></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>"...the
peace process is important to us – and to everybody. It has brought us
the promise of a good life for our people – free from fear, want, and
discrimination. It contains our hopes and our dreams – it is not for us,
for our children. We have waited for this opportunity for 17 years. We
promised our people that peace will be our legacy. We seek your help in
making this promise possible. We cannot do it by ourselves. We ask you
to help us live in peace."</i></b></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
you are sincere -- which we'd like desperately to believe you are -- I
can assure you that my friends and I, as well as thousands of members of
the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum, want peace as much as the MILF wants
and needs it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But we are not convinced today nor will we be convinced
tomorrow that the MILF, a revolutionary organisation which you admitted
it is and which, furthermore, is sufficiently armed to dismember the
Republic, needs the Bangsamoro Basic Law to achieve it.<br /><br />Your
revolutionary organisation and all state actors involved in this peace
process need to go back to the drawing table and re-start the drafting
of a final peace agreement that will not violate the Constitution but
draw one which will serve, what you say, the MILF's desire for just and
lasting peace.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
before a just and lasting final peace agreement can be achieved, the
MILF must lay down their weapons, a 'condition sine qua non', surrender
the murderers of the PNP-SAF44 and recognise and submit
to the laws of the Republic. Without these actions in good faith by the
MILF, all these talks about wanting peace are useless.</span></span><br /><br />In fine, I would like you to answer one of the questions posed by a member of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinesabahclaimforum/">Philippine Sabah Claim Forum</a>:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>"If
Mr. Iqbal said that MILF and BIFF are 2 different organizations...so,
they do not work together, meaning they are a separate group. So, what
gives the MILF the right to talk with the Government in the name of all
Bangsamoro if he already said that they are different groups. </b><br /><br /><b>"Why
[does] the govt. allow MILF to represent the whole Bangsamoro? If our
Govt. will ever talk about peace, let it be based on the equality of all
and not only for the benefit of one side. Only one law and no special
power to anyone, no exemption, no armed group except the AFP."</b></i></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Thank you. </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><i>Deus vult</i></span>.</span></span></i><br />
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<b>~~~~O~~~~</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljWgq6X_MsnbW5k6O9Ri3XFsLil5hyphenhyphen9dsuGcxkGfzErJ5WZGpFUen9wJd2AluTygCZ_qLiAHRdkvzUwFljc853OIsdXS_a9e4zZ0DEHZQ4GTpSf8y0nrIZwvl5T1jto6yRKN_TF37LQs/s1600/mohagher-iqbal-at-senate-hearing_BE6C5B0457984BAB8B396964797E7649.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljWgq6X_MsnbW5k6O9Ri3XFsLil5hyphenhyphen9dsuGcxkGfzErJ5WZGpFUen9wJd2AluTygCZ_qLiAHRdkvzUwFljc853OIsdXS_a9e4zZ0DEHZQ4GTpSf8y0nrIZwvl5T1jto6yRKN_TF37LQs/s1600/mohagher-iqbal-at-senate-hearing_BE6C5B0457984BAB8B396964797E7649.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/434168/news/nation/full-text-milf-chief-negotiator-mohagher-iqbal-s-opening-statement-during-day-3-of-senate-hearing-on-mamasapano-clash">FULL TEXT OF MR IQBAL'S STATEMENT AT THE MAMASAPANO HEARING </a><br />
12 February 2015<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let me speak straight from the heart.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First,
the encounter between the MILF and the SAF was an unfortunate
encounter. It was something that nobody planned or wanted. We thought
that we have effective protocols and mechanisms in place that would
prevent things like these from happening. In the end, 44 SAF, 18 MILF,
and many more died in that encounter. We must honor them by making sure
that their sacrifice would not be in vain. While we cannot change the
past, we can do something in the future. We can work together to make
sure that something like this will not happen again. Thus, we are
already investigating the conduct of our men during that encounter to
see it anyone violated the rules of conduct.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Second,
the MILF was not the only group that was present in the area. The SAF
fought other armed individuals belonging to different networks and
groups – BIFF, private armed groups, local militias, etc. The delicate
task of finding out who did what, especially the reported atrocities,
cannot immediately be blamed on the MILF. That would be unfair. We need
to investigate. On the part of the MILF, aside from our own
investigation, we push for a truly independent group that would conduct a
fair and impartial investigation of the incident.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Third,
the MILF was immediately working to effect the ceasefire as early as
6:30 in the morning. But because of the limitations in communications
and because of the on-ground situation of battle, the ceasefire was
obtained only in the afternoon. MILF members who were part of the joint
ceasefire committee risked their lives to effect the ceasefire. We were
trying to save those men.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fourth,
credit must be given where credit is due. Through the efforts of the
MILF, 28 SAF were rescued from imminent death that day. The 28 SAF were
part of the first team and holed up in an area one kilometer northeast
of Tukanalipao. They were already being fired upon by unidentified armed
groups. The 28 SAF are alive today because of the efforts of the MILF
and finally, it is the will of God.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fifth,
the MILF is against all forms of terrorism. We have made a solemn vow
to fight terrorism in our areas. Terrorism is consistent with Islam and
has no place in the orientation and principles of the MILF. Our previous
actions bear witness to our commitment against terrorism. To tag the
MILF as a terrorist group is unfair.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sixth,
the MILF did not harbor Marwan or Usman. The MILF has no links with
these terrorists and terrorist organizations. Marwan or Usman were in
areas outside the MILF-controlled areas.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seventh,
the MILF and the BIFF are different organizations. We do not share the
same goals and objectives. There is no truth to the allegation that we
are conniving with each other.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eighth,
we are committed to peace. We have been in negotiations with the
Philippine Government for 17 years. Our present partnership with
President Aquino has been durable – there has been no recorded armed
hostilities between the government and the MILF since 2011. We signed
the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Comprehensive Agreement
on the Bangsamoro, and the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. Each of these
agreements is a testament to our commitment to pursue our objectives
through peaceful means.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ninth,
the peace process is important to us – and to everybody. It has brought
us the promise of a good life for our people – free from fear, want,
and discrimination. It contains our hopes and our dreams – it is not for
us, for our children. We have waited for this opportunity for 17 years.
We promised our people that peace will be our legacy. We seek your help
in making this promise possible. We cannot do it by ourselves. We ask
you to help us live in peace.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally,
justice is at the core of our struggle. We have been seeking justice
for a long time. Thousands of our brothers and sisters have died
pursuing this cause. We see an opportunity that peace can be
established. Please do not let this unfortunate incident be used to
derail 17 years of hard work and lessen our resolve for peace and
justice. Let peace be our legacy. Let us me partners for peace.</span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
~~~~O~~~~NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-42354107723235241842014-07-02T15:01:00.001-07:002015-08-21T14:19:45.109-07:00PNoy to next President: Beat my achievements <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCf-CEcKILzECsab5KuG4Jyb-yMnxyEFISwATQomqgTpP8QPwU4dk1uHaL2bDido7XJG-Fh9oMrm9oZQfCIYJ-iReGvsKluiiljxViL_KgHrnZq36bApJbUP6QuzpjTJzwcVviUmX5-4/s1600/10353579_10203965481207128_3035290600071783240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCf-CEcKILzECsab5KuG4Jyb-yMnxyEFISwATQomqgTpP8QPwU4dk1uHaL2bDido7XJG-Fh9oMrm9oZQfCIYJ-iReGvsKluiiljxViL_KgHrnZq36bApJbUP6QuzpjTJzwcVviUmX5-4/s1600/10353579_10203965481207128_3035290600071783240_n.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>"With regard to DAP, he knew it was wrong and only for him to give a lame excuse that he should not be criticized because he used it for the good of the people. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT! He did an illegal thing consciously and he cannot just use ignorance as an excuse."</b></i><br /><br /> <br />By Marlene D. Howe<br />For the Sabah Claim Society<br />July 2, 2014<br /><br />By the way, I was a PNoy supporter when he ran for presidency and I have passionately debated on his behalf with his detractors here on Facebook. I believed then that his lack of political achievement as a senator and was even caught dozing off few times during senate hearing, will not matter if his heart is in the right place. <br /><br />Shortly after he was sworn in, the Luneta hostage crisis happened and he was reportedly hiding at Emerald restaurant instead of going out there and taking leadership. I thought that maybe since he was new to his position he was a little distracted and not knowing what to do. So I never voiced out any criticism on him for the first two and a half years of his presidency. But several faux pas after that, I can no longer stand by and keep quiet. So I became one of his vocal critics.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.abscbnnews.com/nation/07/01/14/pnoy-next-president-beat-my-achievements#.U7N41hKSOQ0.facebook">So Pinoy says, "To next President: Beat my achievements </a></b><br />Let's be fair and review some of the promises he made during the campaign such as:<br /><br />1. Kung walang korap, walang Mahirap. Did he deliver that promise?<br /><br />2. What about, Tuwid na daan? Did he deliver that promise?<br /><br />3. What about, Kayo ang Boss ko? Did he listen to the people? Didn't he collude with Malaysia against the majority of voices of the people in and out of social media to stand up to Malaysia and reclaim Sabah for the country and for our Muslim kababayans who were slaughtered in Sabah? Didn't he echo Najib's rhetoric instead of standing by the Sulu Sultanate? Malaysia even used the airline owned by PNoy's cousin to transport their soldiers to Sabah to kill our kababayans from the Sulu Sultanate.<br /><br />4. What about the funds intended for the military family that his trusted adviser, Butch Abad withheld and later found its way to the president's DAPS? Butch Abad should have been fired right after when his wrongdoing was exposed. I just found out about this yesterday from the wall of Admiral Juan A. Deleon.<br /><br />5. Didn't PNOY use PDAF as bribe for senators to insure a conviction on Corona?<br /><br />6. Didn't we lose Scarborough or Panatag Shoal because of the president's ineptitude and naiveté?<br /><br />7. With regard to DAP, he knew it was wrong and only for him to give a lame excuse that he should not be criticized because he used it for the good of the people. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT! He did an illegal thing consciously and he cannot just use ignorance as an excuse.<br /><br />8. The infamous "Framework Agreement" is another example of the president's naiveté when he rushed into a peace agreement with one faction MILF but took the rest of other factions and tribes out of the equation. The result was more chaos and bloodshed starting with the Zamboanga siege. Do you call this peace agreement when other tribes have vowed to fight for their right to self-determination? Can you call this success?<br /><br />9. Lastly, from what I can think of for now, there were corruptions unfolding under his administration like the BOC when he accepted the resignation of General Lim who was the only person surrounded with sharks and crocodiles who attempted to clean up the Bureau of Customs. But he did not accept the resignation of BOC's top dog, Raffy Biazon when he was the one in-charge of the whole agency and Gen. Lim was only a second in command. He did not even fire the well-known "Three Kings" of smuggling at BOC. Why? Is it because one of them is under Speaker Belmonte's protection?<br /><br />The economy might be growing a little bit but the general population does not feel it. There are so many little things that are wrong under the president's watch but I can't enumerate all of them. But one thing I can say about the latest brouhaha when he let his personal feelings get in the way of a business decision is, IT'S ALL BS to exclude Nora Aunor for the National Artist award because of Ms. Aunor's drug conviction of which she took responsibility and learned from it. But the fact that she has considerable contribution to the Arts and she made her own success through old-fashion hard work and sheer talent are things that no one can deny. PNoy's excuse of Ms. Aunor's past is LAME and UNFAIR. Are all the previous awardees saints? Who knows, they are babaero, palainom, sugarol, drug users and whatever discretions they might have. But they were recognized based on their contribution to the Arts. It should be the same for Nora Aunor. I wonder if he would do the same thing if it's Kris Aquino who's in the running. The whole Philippines know of Kris cohabiting with few men without legal or religious sanction.<br /><br />~~O~~</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Marlene Howe</b> is c</i><i>o-founder and administrator of the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum and of the Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims community as well as an administrator of this blog. Ms Howe is US-based but keeps a home in the Philippines.</i></span></span><br />
<br />Lioness of Sabahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05958658929227906650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-30402813754487365382014-04-01T10:05:00.000-07:002014-04-01T10:05:11.477-07:00US accuses China of provoking Philippines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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US accuses <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> of provoking <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region></div>
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Washington (AFP) - The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> criticized <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> as provocative Monday after its coast guard tried to block a Philippine vessel that was rotating troops in the tense <st1:place w:st="on">South China Sea</st1:place>.</div>
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The attempted Chinese blockade, which led to a two-hour standoff with the Philippine ship, is "a provocative and destabilizing action," State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.</div>
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Harf said that the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region> had permission to resupply troops to the remote reef, the Second Thomas Shoal, because it has kept a naval presence there since before a 2002 declaration of conduct in the <st1:place w:st="on">South China Sea</st1:place>.</div>
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"As a treaty ally of the Republic of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> urges <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> to refrain from further provocative behavior by allowing the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region> to continue to maintain its presence at Second Thomas Shoal," she said.</div>
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The incident was the latest in the South China Sea, where <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> claims a vast area that overlaps with several neighbors' claims.</div>
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On March 9, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> successfully turned away a similar resupply boat from the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>.</div>
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The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> has been warning <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> against taking more drastic action in the South China Sea after it declared an air defense identification zone in November over much of the East China Sea, including islands administered by <st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region>.</div>
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http://news.yahoo.com/us-accuses-china-provoking-philippines-215239395.html</div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-29217084256437327812014-03-10T08:23:00.001-07:002014-03-10T08:23:17.110-07:00Sultan of Sulu: No to PH consular office in Sabah<div class="MsoNormal">
Sultan of Sulu: No to PH consular office in <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place></div>
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THE Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo reiterated its
rejection of proposals made by Malaysians for the Philippine government to open
a consular office in <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>.</div>
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Apparently agitated by the reports that the Aquino
administration has decided to open a consular office in Sabah, Sultan Esmail
Kiram 2nd, the reigning Sultan of Sulu and <st1:place w:st="on">North Borneo</st1:place>,
expressed serious concern.</div>
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The Sultan’s wazir, not quite his prime minister but his
policy adviser, former Gov. Almarin Centi Tillah of Tawi-Tawi, relayed these
concerns to The Manila Times’ Publisher-Editor Rene Bas.</div>
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“We have every reason to believe that the plan while being
denied publicly by Aquino officials, was agreed upon in secret between
President Aquino and Prime Minister Najib Razak,” Al Tillah said.</div>
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“This is a betrayal not only of the Sultanate of Sulu and
North Borneo but also of the Republic of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>. It is against
Philippine national interest to virtually abandon the claim to Sabah by opening
a consular office there and thereby show the world that the Philippine
government accepts Malaysian sovereignty over <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>,”
he added.</div>
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In a separate event also on Monday, the Sultanate’s
spokesman, Abhraham Idjurani, told Manila Times reporter Ritchie Horario of the
Sultanate’s rejection of the plans “of the government to establish a Philippine
consular office in <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>.</div>
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Idjurani said saying that this is tantamount to surrendering
Philippine sovereignty over Sabah to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>.</div>
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“The Sultanate of Sulu is vehemently opposing any move by
Malacañang to put up a Consular Office in the disputed territory,” Idjirani
said.</div>
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The establishment of a consular office in the disputed
territory was raised during the recent visit of President Benigno Aquino 3rd in
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>.</div>
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In case the plan pushes through, Idjirani said, Aquino would
be the first Philippine President to start with “a wrong policy to waste a
national legacy and as part of the Muslim contribution to nation building.”</div>
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“He has forgotten that any effort to diminish this legacy is
a betrayal to the Filipino Great Cause,” he added.</div>
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He added that Aquino must remind <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region> that it should adhere to
the rule of law embodied in the 1963 Manila Accord.</div>
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North Borneo is that part of Sabah that is the sovereign
territory of the reigning Sultans of Sulu and <st1:place w:st="on">North Borneo</st1:place>.</div>
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The present Sultan, Esmail Kiram II, as his predecessors
did, gladly accepts the fact of his being a Filipino citizen. Therefore, any
lands and seas in his realm is part of the Republic of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>.</div>
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That Sabah is Philippine territory is affirmed by the
transfer by the then reigning Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, Muhammad Esmail
Kiram I, “of full sovereignty, title and dominion” over Sabah to the
Philippines on September 12, 1962. The President of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>
then was Diosdado Macapagal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Legal documents show that Sabah was leased by the Sultan of
Sulu and <st1:place w:st="on">North Borneo</st1:place> to agents of the British
North Borneo Company. The <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region>
then handed over the lease to the leaders of <st1:place w:st="on">Malaya</st1:place>
when they, with British support, were forming the Federation of Malaysia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Malaysian government maintains that Sabah belongs to it
and <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> is a state of the federation. The <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>
disputes that claim.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During President Aquino’s visit to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region> last week, Malaysian media once again
played up proposals that the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>
open a consular office in <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Problems of Filipino “migrants” in <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>—Filipino
Muslims carrying Philippine passports—have been cited by Malaysians as the
reason there should be a consulate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The way the news reached the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>, it seemed as if President
Aquino and his administration have agreed to these proposals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is not true. President Aquino himself has stated that
he did not want the <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> dispute to be
discussed but that Prime Minister Najib Razak did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Malaysian PM suggested the establishment of a hotline
over the <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> dispute. The hotline would be
between the Philippine and Malaysian security authorities. The Malaysian PM
himself told journalists this detail.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://manilatimes.net/sultan-of-sulu-no-to-ph-consular-office-in-sabah/81648/</div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-32794407678994818352014-02-19T11:37:00.000-08:002014-02-19T11:37:21.285-08:00PH’s Sabah claim not on Aquino agenda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI8YKx4VjasYiaY1r0jsYoW5PV98c9qkC-1PbAL1P6uY34uDRTgRyu7M00EDhicKREWL8FNEdRcE2dRLP2oV_brkZSba4uDV6C-q0CskeHxT77XVD2yBYWaErYeYFSXeKnwWI_MwTUQw/s1600/sabahclaimtaksil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI8YKx4VjasYiaY1r0jsYoW5PV98c9qkC-1PbAL1P6uY34uDRTgRyu7M00EDhicKREWL8FNEdRcE2dRLP2oV_brkZSba4uDV6C-q0CskeHxT77XVD2yBYWaErYeYFSXeKnwWI_MwTUQw/s1600/sabahclaimtaksil.jpg" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PH’s <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> claim not on
Aquino agenda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
February 20, 2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Manila, Philippines — The country’s territorial claim to
Sabah will not be raised by President Benigno S. Aquino III during his two-day
visit to Malaysia starting February 27.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead, the President said he intends to tackle ways to
promote economic relations with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>
as well as the government’s peace initiatives in Mindanao when he travels to <st1:city w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:city>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> is not part of the
agenda. There are many topics such as bilateral relations, peace, and trade and
commerce,” the President said when asked if he will bring up the <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> issue with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The President, however, said he would still check the
condition of Filipinos detained for alleged involvement in the violent siege in
Lahad Datu last year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not
reported any abuses against Filipino workers in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region> but will continue to
monitor their welfare, especially those languishing in jails.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wala pa akong nakitang pruweba nitong alleged human rights
violations. Walang nai-report sa atin ang kaukulang ahensiya ng gobyerno, ng
DFA [I have not seen any proof of alleged human rights violations. The
concerned government agency, the DFA has not reported such abuses to me],” the
President said in a media interview after inspecting a government housing site
in <st1:city w:st="on">Manila</st1:city>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reports of abuse of Filipino workers in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>
circulated last month following the crackdown against undocumented foreign
nationals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The President recalled that alleged maltreatment of
Filipinos reported in the media during the height of violent siege in <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> turned out to be false.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aquino, however, gave assurances the government would
continue to look after the plight of Filipinos, particularly ensure they would
get due process amid a crackdown on illegal foreign workers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said government assistance will be extended to repatriate
undocumented Filipino workers from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Legal services have also been extended to Filipinos facing
trial for the Lahad Datu standoff in 2013, he added.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will protect their rights through fair and due process,
he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The President’s trip, upon the invitation of Razak, comes a
month before the signing of the peace agreement between the government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation under the auspices of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The President acknowledged that <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>
has contributed a lot to advancing the peace process in <st1:place w:st="on">Mindanao</st1:place>.
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>
serves as facilitator in the Philippine government’s peace talks with the MILF.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aquino said <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>’s
Felda Global Ventures, the world’s largest crude palm oil producer, has
expressed interest to extend livelihood assistance to the people of Bangsamoro.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/phs-sabah-claim-not-on-aquino-agenda/">http://www.mb.com.ph/phs-sabah-claim-not-on-aquino-agenda/</a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-81921063905261520302014-02-13T09:44:00.000-08:002014-02-13T09:44:39.456-08:00US would honour its mutual defence treaty with the Philippines<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on">Manila</st1:city> (AFP) - The <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> will "help" the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region> in the event that <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> occupies disputed islands in the South
China Sea, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region>
Chief of Naval Operations said Thursday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Admiral Jonathan Greenert also stressed that the <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> would honour its mutual defence treaty with
the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region> amid a seething
territorial conflict with <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>
over the resource-rich waters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://news.yahoo.com/us-39-help-39-philippines-south-china-sea-153118749.html</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzQ8rvZ9ESg0OzxMyMG5Jp90FUXO30neSBR2gQBCmkZ1l3xEmsozZgg2-E36orE9zC1LJ9WyZH9rJC243EpkY7AhEF71r6-pxB7_OIEEFwb8p9M2jlX4daAGFZ65OkXGcf3G0aiRC9Vo/s1600/usnavalarmadawps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzQ8rvZ9ESg0OzxMyMG5Jp90FUXO30neSBR2gQBCmkZ1l3xEmsozZgg2-E36orE9zC1LJ9WyZH9rJC243EpkY7AhEF71r6-pxB7_OIEEFwb8p9M2jlX4daAGFZ65OkXGcf3G0aiRC9Vo/s1600/usnavalarmadawps.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-85956542860370277812014-01-26T14:16:00.001-08:002014-01-26T14:16:35.702-08:00The Mindanao Factor will haunt President Aquino if...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNmUMJJJZyZ2itYmCjjhVU8aJLbAP9PjAdXej70QoMp6BpfPKV23kz2WYkqn0rE63w2929iLSMzzetWSyozfvwbhUP9fUCe2zJSTIbYdoRSCdeSl4XY1b-srsmgVlGxO_bfAAFjycqYFa/s1600/YOS377330_10150389031864719_918473838_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNmUMJJJZyZ2itYmCjjhVU8aJLbAP9PjAdXej70QoMp6BpfPKV23kz2WYkqn0rE63w2929iLSMzzetWSyozfvwbhUP9fUCe2zJSTIbYdoRSCdeSl4XY1b-srsmgVlGxO_bfAAFjycqYFa/s1600/YOS377330_10150389031864719_918473838_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>"Yes,
the Mindanao Factor will haunt this president if the pudding cooked by
the bilateral chefs does not accommodate the entire country at the
banquet. The best leaders are the ones who listen best and who engage
the opponent with a strong respect for unvarnished dialogue. Practice
truth and fear nothing!"</b></i><br /><br />By Yolanda Ortega Stern<br />26 January 2013<br /><br />President Aquino, <b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/569465/aquino-wary-of-misuari-other-peace-deal-spoilers">in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer</a></b>
last week, stated that that he did not think the legendary Nur Misuari,
founding Chair of the Moro National Liberation Force (MNLF) was a spent
force. <br /><br />The Inquirer <b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/569465/aquino-wary-of-misuari-other-peace-deal-spoilers">wrote that Mr Aquino remains wary</a></b>
of those who would want to spoil the gains of a peace agreement between
the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The
Inquirer also asked the Chief Executive if there might be people from
the MNLF who might be agitated by a peace agreement between government
and the MILF. Mr Aquino said: </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yes,
I am sure. It could be the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters),
or it could be some other group. They might be a new group.” </span></span></blockquote>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My view:</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His
Excellency, President Benigno Aquino Jr., must of course be wary not
only of Nur Musuari but also of every Filipino Moslem who at some point
in their lives walked both sides of war and peace in search of 'self
determination.'</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />He
must also be wary of Filipino Lumads and Christians who comprise the
majority of poor Filipinos without a visible promise of opportunity. We
must also all remember, along with the President, that there have been
many other Deals reached and signed before he came along, one in
particular not yet implemented. And it was not because of 'spoilers'. <br /><br />Spoilers
are but a very small number of people who are aware of ongoing business
and want theur voices heard. Ask the lonely fisherman in Sacol: What
about the new deal, and he would have no clue. They just live and die by
the bullet, the fire, or the poverty they all inherited decade after
decade. <br /><br />Yes, the <b>Mindanao Factor</b> will haunt this
president if the pudding cooked by the bilateral chefs does not
accomodate the entire country at the banquet. The best leaders are the
ones who listen best and who engage the opponent with a strong respect
for unvarnished dialogue. Practice truth and fear Nothing!<br /> <br /><b>~~~~O~~~~</b><br /><br /><i>Yolanda Ortega Stern is the President at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-World-Institute/223708681005576">One World Institute</a></b>,
a US registered NGO for health, education, livelihood, disaster relief;
Mr Stern has given her permission for the publication of her view on
this blog. </i><br /><br /><b>~~~~O~~~~</b><br /><br />INQUIRER REPORT: <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/569465/aquino-wary-of-misuari-other-peace-deal-spoilers"><b>Aquino wary of Misuari, other peace deal spoilers</b> </a><br />By Nikko Dizon<br />Philippine Daily Inquirer<br />2:29 am | Sunday, January 26th, 2014 </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMKu4S05Q86gZyj7vTfFJxFWIXOaUc2rv2WyUWycQwsDPdcLTKBPzb9kfeAaNk2DjCE3IlzKPIlD62twl5s99-ycJ7a0nLo7BhL-svAnCqfHHNnqZjzC0ay7fk1iEhanaDiHYxX6BMdI/s1600/AquinoMsuarisafe_image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMKu4S05Q86gZyj7vTfFJxFWIXOaUc2rv2WyUWycQwsDPdcLTKBPzb9kfeAaNk2DjCE3IlzKPIlD62twl5s99-ycJ7a0nLo7BhL-svAnCqfHHNnqZjzC0ay7fk1iEhanaDiHYxX6BMdI/s1600/AquinoMsuarisafe_image.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">President
Benigno Aquino III said he did not consider Nur Misuari, the fugitive
founding chair of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a “spent
force,” as he remained wary of those who would want to spoil the gains
of a peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yes,
I am sure. It could be the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters),
or it could be some other group. They might be a new group,” the
President said when asked in an interview with the Inquirer on Wednesday
if there could be people from the MNLF who might be agitated by a peace
agreement between government and the MILF.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Government
and MILF negotiators completed talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
yesterday on the normalization annex, the last document that would
complete a peace agreement between the two parties aimed at ending four
decades of fighting in central Mindanao.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Asked
if he considered Misuari a spent force, the President said in Filipino:
“I won’t say that. If you are a terrorist, even if there are only three
of you, it’s enough. Even if you’re alone, it’s enough.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hunting Misuari</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Authorities
are hunting Misuari for instigating his followers to take over
Zamboanga City in September last year, claiming that the government
abrogated the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF after it proposed to
wind down the tripartite review of the organic law facilitated by
Indonesia.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
government and the MNLF are reviewing some provisions of the organic
law creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Mr.
Aquino once described the ARMM as a “failed experiment.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the Zamboanga siege, Misuari loyalists took hostage more than 200 residents and left a part of the city in ruins.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was the first urban warfare fought by the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, and the worst security threat faced by Mr. Aquino’s
three-year-old administration. As commander in chief, the President
personally oversaw the military operations to expel the rebels from
Zamboanga.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lost cause</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">President Aquino said spoilers would certainly be “alienated” once the people started to feel the gains of a peace agreement.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“We
start off with a vast majority who is no longer supportive of your (the
spoilers’) clandestine activities … There would be no more safe havens.
It would be difficult for the bandit groups. If electricity is
disrupted, a bridge is blown up and the produce is not brought to the
market … All of this, would they gain sympathy? Probably not, so the
majority will tell the others, we are living quiet lives and you don’t
want to help us? So the more they would be alienated. The more they
would become a lost cause, a weak factor,” Mr. Aquino said.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
President said reports reaching him indicated that other MNLF factions
were supportive of the peace initiatives of the government.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To read full report, link <b><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/569465/aquino-wary-of-misuari-other-peace-deal-spoilers">here.</a></b></span></span></blockquote>
<a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/569465/aquino-wary-of-misuari-other-peace-deal-spoilers#ixzz2rXrOclX2">Pictures of President Benigno Aquino III and Nur Misuari. AP FILE PHOTOS</a>NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-12323527934136385492014-01-08T04:31:00.000-08:002014-01-08T05:43:47.249-08:0013 provinces at the altar of so-called peace: Is it worth dismembering the Republic to placate Kuala Lumpur? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWCSxuNZZ_GsSYWb0Oy4GIZQQar9pxNt0B-s82dZa1vNdP89aXnpIMCwYGdBTrhPU1yWCH_zttIW74D0rvmbzPczwO78Z3YiPVnDJGy3SREa5H_UpRgLmb6NqpYoPEWnf0bhnJVcvxHau/s1600/bangsamoro-1024x723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWCSxuNZZ_GsSYWb0Oy4GIZQQar9pxNt0B-s82dZa1vNdP89aXnpIMCwYGdBTrhPU1yWCH_zttIW74D0rvmbzPczwO78Z3YiPVnDJGy3SREa5H_UpRgLmb6NqpYoPEWnf0bhnJVcvxHau/s1600/bangsamoro-1024x723.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>"So we
may all be clear: this so-called peace agreement or shared sovereignty
rights over 13 provinces in Southern Mindanao with the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) is what it is - it is not a peace offering to
the people of Southern Mindanao but a peace offering to the Barisan
Nasional politicos and businessmen of Kuala Lumpur."</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By Anne de Bretagne<br />For the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/philippinesabahclaimforum/">Philippine Sabah Claim Forum</a></b><br />08 January 2014<br /><br />The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process<b> </b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/is%20very%20upbeat%20today.http://www.solarnews.ph/news/2014/01/07/palace-eyes-bangsamoro-normalization-annex#.Us0z4bR7-3Z"><b>is very upbeat today</b></a>: "Malacañan is hopeful the normalization annex of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement will be signed this month."<br /><br />According to the <b><a href="http://www.solarnews.ph/news/2014/01/07/palace-eyes-bangsamoro-normalization-annex#.Us0z4bR7-3Z">Solar News report</a></b>,
Presidential Communication Secretary Sonny Coloma has announced that
'peace panels from both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front are now working on drafts and are also carrying out informal
consultations on the annex prior to formal talks next week.'<br /><br />My thoughts off the cuff:<br /><br />I
still don't understand why the Aquino Govt has deemed it wise to allow
Malaysia with whom the Philippines has an outstanding territorial and
sovereignty disputes to engineer a peace agreement in Southern Mindanao
with a Kuala Lumpur-backed Muslim rebel faction that will entitle the
same rebel group to lord it over 13 provinces in Southern Mindanao under
the direct influence of Malaysia Federation. Can these people in
Malacañan NOT SEE that they are authoring the potential dismemberment of
the Republic in favour of Kuala Lumpur?<br /><br />If they are truly for
peace and are pro-Southern Mindanao, PH and its leaders should raise the
Sabah claim flag today before another bloodbath occurs over this
extremely lopsided deal that they are offering to the Southern Mindanao
'nation' through the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel group. If at
all, Mr Aquino and his peace subalterns should instead find an economic
and political <i><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entente">entente </a></b></i> with <b><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/01/08/Dr-Mahathir-Putrajaya-fashioned-Paris/">Putrajaya</a></b>
by proposing an equitable deal involving Sulu rights to Sabah to
directly benefit the people of Sulu and the other provinces in their
proposed MILF-controlled Bangsamoro region. Mr Aquino and his
lieutenants are forgetting that the Southern Mindanao "nation" does not
comprise merely of 10,000 MILF rebels but of more than 5 million souls
from various cultural, political and religious factions.<br /><br />It is
not just ironic, it is also immensely tragic that PH and leaders have
decided that instead of facing Kuala Lumpur over the Sabah issue which,
as we all know, has been the cause of all the violence and misery among
our people in Southern Mindanao, they choose to placate Kuala Lumpur
(which we all know has been at the forefront of all the troubles in
Mindanao since 1972) by offering the 13 provinces of Southern Mindanao
at the altar of "peace" with Malaysia.<br /><br />So we may all be clear:
this so-called peace agreement or shared sovereignty rights over 13
provinces in Southern Mindanao with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is
what it is - it is not a peace offering to the people of Southern
Mindanao but a peace offering to the Barisan Nasional politicos and
businessmen of Kuala Lumpur.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BUT THE <b>BIG QUESTION</b> IS, is it worth dismembering the Republic to placate Kuala Lumpur over God knows what?<br /><br />~~~~Õ~~~~<br /><br /><i>*Map
shown was posted in 2012 by Malacañan Palace and can be viewed on PH
Govt website with the following title: "Proposed Territory." This is a
map highlighting the areas included in the proposed Bangsamoro
Autonomous Political Entity." Click on <b><a href="http://www.gov.ph/the-2012-framework-agreement-on-the-bangsamoro/">this link</a></b> to access map.</i> </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Related blog posts: </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://defenders-philippine-sovereignty.blogspot.com/2012/11/gph-milf-framework-agreement-is-there.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GPH-MILF FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT: Is there a foreign conflict of interest? </a> </b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://defenders-philippine-sovereignty.blogspot.be/2013/03/understanding-sabah-claim-issue.html?q=Isagani+Cruz">Understanding the Sabah claim issue:</a>
It's all very simple actually: As Law Professor Isagani Cruz says,
"President Noynoy faces an insoluble dilemma. If he believes that Sabah
is part of the Philippines, he has to defend Sabah because Malaysia is
attacking it. If he does not believe that Sabah is part of the
Philippines, he opens himself up to impeachment, because Philippine law
says that Sabah is part of the Philippines and he is sworn to uphold
Philippine law. Talking of a conspiracy does not solve the problem; in
fact, it is irrelevant if there is or there is no conspiracy. The
dilemma has to do simply with his stand on Sabah itself."
</b></span></span></li>
</ul>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-50097520202231210012014-01-03T09:03:00.000-08:002014-01-03T09:03:24.952-08:00Sulu Sultanate wants to negotiate with Malaysia peacefully over Sabah claim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyUBqcNZfd2wExt7shgEFAp09ZiKM3sa4gmzLtL9konZGQzb-06yoOartrlEirLZEtpLr8AiBrHPc6LtAh8zY6vCA2U-9P8JRuXTX6KZ5HTQiVuLqfQ7__XikfSaqQ3O-Xjd8TnMpzSQ/s1600/sabahclaim2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyUBqcNZfd2wExt7shgEFAp09ZiKM3sa4gmzLtL9konZGQzb-06yoOartrlEirLZEtpLr8AiBrHPc6LtAh8zY6vCA2U-9P8JRuXTX6KZ5HTQiVuLqfQ7__XikfSaqQ3O-Xjd8TnMpzSQ/s320/sabahclaim2014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sulu Sultanate wants to negotiate with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region> peacefully over <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>
claim</div>
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January 3, 2014</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
AFTER its Royal Forces occupied a portion of the disputed
Sabah that resulted to a standoff, the Sultanate of Sulu and <st1:place w:st="on">North
Borneo</st1:place> on Friday expressed willingness to negotiate with the
Malaysian government.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Newly installed Sultan Esmail Kiram 2nd has approved the
recommendation of the Advisory Council of the Sultanate to push for a peaceful
and civilized resolution of the <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> claim.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Today, I have approved the recommendation of the Council to
resolve the Sabah issue in a civilized and peaceful manner, which
recommendation is also sanctioned by the Ulama Council of Mindanao,” Kiram said
in a press briefing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As an initial step, he directed the chairman of the council
to form and create a negotiating panel preparatory to the formal negotiation of
the territorial dispute between the Sultanate of Sulu and the Federation of
Malaysia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The membership of the panel will be announced by the
Sultanate on the next few days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When asked if a government official will be part of the
negotiating panel, the Sultanate said it is no longer necessary since they are
claiming a private property and not duly owned by the government.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kiram also ordered the legal panel of the Sultanate and its international
legal experts to prepare the legal groundwork and conduct inventory of legal and
historical documents to prove its legal and historical rights over <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He likewise urged the Philippine government to support the
case of the Sultanate to be filed before the International Court of Justice and
other international tribunals cognizant of the case.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kiram said the move is only part of the Sultanate’s “New
Year’s resolution to repossess <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> through
peaceful means.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sultanate Secretary General Abraham Idjirani said “the
entire supporters of the sultanate support the sultan’s desire to reposess <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He likewise expressed hope that the President Benigno Aquino
3rd will support the sultanate as the “issue involves the interests of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>, the sultanate, and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More than 200 Royal Security Force (RSF) members headed by
Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, younger brother of the reigning sultan, occupied a
portion of Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu in <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>
on February 9 last year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When they were discovered by Sabah authorities, they were
asked to withdraw and return to Tawi-Tawi, <st1:place w:st="on">Mindanao</st1:place>,
but they resisted that resulted to a standoff.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A shooting war erupted on March 1, 2013 that led to the
launching of an all-out war by the Malaysian Security Forces against the
Sultanate’s forces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Malaysian government had filed rebellion and terrorism
charges against those captured, one of them the son of Sultan, who has denied
participation in the standoff.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://manilatimes.net/sulu-sultanate-wants-to-negotiate-with-malaysia-peacefully-over-sabah-claim/64822/</div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-3910800267524126712013-12-20T11:37:00.000-08:002013-12-22T14:31:21.519-08:00PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LAW ENFORCERS, NOT LAW BREAKERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The video showed that
Mayor Binay's aides were armed with armalites and semi-automatics. They were
seen cocking their guns as if they were ready for war. Senator Nancy Binay was
seen just watching without even attempting to
intervene and do the right thing. It only means that she and her brother have
the same corrupt, ego/power-tripping mentality."</span></span></b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQUZQfUZ8tJC-eDBW7i5exjhpIWadEM0CCOlqPri94_cWbwHXBalkvYmA-Zr51_suJRpaClYBPRj5WZEueiCB6y9fxHYqaGGNiXTSOOdVoAkZ-RyC_mH676vlyvsqEEv779IBHg5Wzbw/s1600/Marlen+Howe.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQUZQfUZ8tJC-eDBW7i5exjhpIWadEM0CCOlqPri94_cWbwHXBalkvYmA-Zr51_suJRpaClYBPRj5WZEueiCB6y9fxHYqaGGNiXTSOOdVoAkZ-RyC_mH676vlyvsqEEv779IBHg5Wzbw/s200/Marlen+Howe.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By Marlene Howe</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">20 December 2013</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Background:</b>
Social media is buzzing with criticisms over the extraordinary incident
involving Mr Binay Junior, mayor of Makati City and son of
Vice-President Jejomar Binay, one of the frontrunners come presidential
election 2016, and three security guards of a posh Makati subdivision.
Mr Binay, in an amazing display of power had the three guards arrested
for refusing his convoy passage through the subdivision. The Inquirer
news published a CCTV footage of the incident:
<b>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojFGo9RN5mY.</b></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NO TO THE BINAYS NEXT ELECTION!</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Senator Alan Cayetano
said that DILG should investigate this incident involving the son of
Vice-President Jojo Binay who is also the mayor of the industrial district of
Makati. Mayor Junjun Binay wielded his power against the poor security guards
and ordered their arrest for doing their job. But obviously, Mayor Binay and
his sister, Senator Nancy Binay, don't want to follow the rules because they
feel they are above any rule of law.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mayor
Junjun Binay was arrogant and
delivered the classic ego/power-tripping phrase, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
He may be the mayor of Makati but certainly not above the law! Will Mar
Roxas, as
DILG Secretary do the right thing and take action on this blatant abuse
of
power? And will President Aquino support this action? This is the time
to show
your impartiality and do your job of making public officials accountable
for
their actions. The video and testimonies from the witnesses should be
enough to
prove the case. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The video showed that
Mayor Binay's aides were armed with armalites and semi-automatics. They were
seen cocking their guns as if they were ready for war. Senator Nancy Binay was
also seen just watching without even attempting to
intervene and do the right thing. It only means that she and her brother have
the same corrupt, ego/power-tripping mentality.</span></span>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Their father, the
Vice-President also gave a lame excuse for his children's behavior saying that
they, his children deserve some courtesy. What courtesy are you talking about,
VP Binay? You mean they have to be given a pass not to follow the rules that
other high profile and prominent people follow including foreign diplomats?
What makes them above everybody else? You are a poor excuse of a father and
public servant and you only proved that you have a corrupt mind as well and
therefore, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO WORK FOR US! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, none of you deserve to be
in the position of power because you are abusive and corrupt. It's a common
knowledge that your children lack the experience to be leaders but because of
your money and power they were put in the position of public trust. The Binays
only proved to be UNTRUSTWORTHY of public trust. REMEMBER THIS, THE PEOPLE ARE
YOUR BOSSES AND YOU ARE THE EMPLOYEES! </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">NO TO THE BINAYS NEXT ELECTION!</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~~~O~~~</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Below is the incident
reported in the Philippine Inquirer so you know what happened</b>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The general manager
of the Dasmariñas Village Association (DVA) on Thursday defended the three
guards who barred the convoy of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay from using the gate
of the subdivision on Banyan and McKinley Roads on Nov. 30, saying they did
nothing wrong. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“The rules apply to everybody,” DVA general manager Mike
Bucoy said on Thursday. He said the subdivision did not have a “VIP policy.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bucoy was referring to the village policy prohibiting the
exit of vehicles from the gate after 10 p.m. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Inquirer reported
on Wednesday that Binay had ordered the arrest of the three security guards
after his convoy, which included his sister Sen. Nancy Binay, was prevented
from using the gate close to midnight three weeks ago. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The guards insisted
that the group could not pass through the gate, citing the village policy. The
source interviewed by the Inquirer said the same policy was being followed by
high-profile residents. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 187-hectare
Dasmariñas Village is home to the embassies of China, the Czech Republic,
Egypt, India, Mexico, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Romania,
Russia, Sri Lanka and Turkey, and the consulates of Oman and Vanuatu. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prominent politicians
and celebrities who reside there include Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, former Sen.
Joker Arroyo, former Tarlac Rep. Peping Cojuangco, former Speaker Jose de
Venecia and singer Sharon Cuneta. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to the
source and the CCTV footage released by Inquirer.net, Binay called for the
police who then arrested the three security guards. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Asked if the guards
were reprimanded for what happened, Bucoy said they were alright and were still
working at the village. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Wala namang mali na ginawa iyong mga guards ko (Our guards
did nothing wrong),” he said. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was echoed by
Inquirer columnist and television host Solita “Winnie” Collas-Monsod who said:
“The guards were correct… And Mayor Binay was obviously wrong. He was taking
advantage of his position and trying to be above the law. And anything that
goes above the law is wrong.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Read more <b><a href="herehttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/549227/our-guards-did-nothing-wrong-dasmarinas-village-officer#ixzz2o20qefYo">here.</a></b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>Marlene Howe</b> is c</i><i>o-Founder
and Administrator of the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum and of the
Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims community as well as
administrator of this blog. Ms Howe is US based but keeps a home in the
Philippines.</i></span></span></div>
NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-34984603604703346702013-12-12T09:20:00.002-08:002013-12-13T08:36:35.153-08:00A DIFFERENCE IN LEADERSHIP CAN MAKE OR BREAK THE COUNTRY <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj6MTrn2vipy6kgdZl9ijxTT8QvL35ilYUCSwQXD9oT49IzfORuLp8meAb_L7Ztf-Xd4MuAuyeVKtSkwNBiX2cCcA1X4LfNZzxhMgUF9fWV_mKifM4cZU22dgU23Zc_8MwPuf55hMC8W7/s1600/Marlen+Howe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj6MTrn2vipy6kgdZl9ijxTT8QvL35ilYUCSwQXD9oT49IzfORuLp8meAb_L7Ztf-Xd4MuAuyeVKtSkwNBiX2cCcA1X4LfNZzxhMgUF9fWV_mKifM4cZU22dgU23Zc_8MwPuf55hMC8W7/s200/Marlen+Howe.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So much of the country's pork barrel funds have gone to waste financing not-so-important projects to gain political leverage and to line the private pockets of politicians. Poverty has been an ongoing problem and keeps the country in third world status when in fact, we should be one of the richest countries in the world because of our rich and immense natural resources. But our leaders have failed to capitalize on those because of their self-serving agenda.</span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By Marlene D. Howe</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">12 December 2013</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There have been many posts on Facebook regarding leadership
in the Philippines. The recent earthquake and typhoon Yolanda that hit the
Central Visayas -- and before that the Zamboanga siege, showed the inept ability
of our government leaders to deal with crisis as well as their selfish agenda
and hubris. Someone mentioned that perhaps our culture has something to do with
the way we are. How come then that developed countries seem to be more
productive while we cannot seem to get ahead? We are regressing instead of
progressing! </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Basically,
all cultures are similar from the ancient days
when our forefathers hunted for food. Culture only plays a part in our
poverty
because of failed leadership. Let's use Singapore as an example. The
country,
though smaller than ours, is much progressive than the Philippines
thanks to leadership. But I put the blame on the people in general for
voting for the
same inutile trapos to the seat of power.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's my take on leadership in the
Philippines compared to that of our neighboring country like Japan and our
failure in readiness: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So much of the country's pork barrel funds went to
waste financing not-so-important projects to gain political leverage and to line the private pockets of politicians.
Poverty has been an ongoing problem and keeps the country in the third world
status when in fact, we are supposed to be one of the richest countries in the
world because of our rich and immense natural resources. But our leaders have failed to
capitalize on those because of their self-serving agenda</span></span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span>They have not even
thought of ways to prepare for catastrophic events like typhoon that has been a
part of our life since time immemorial. We are geographically located in a
disaster-prone area and yet our government does not have a plan or programs in
placed to mitigate losses, recover and rehabilitate. Only the elites and those
in the position of power to steal from the people get richer and the majority
gets poorer. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a big difference between Japan and the Philippines.
That is LEADERSHIP! I can't help compare the two countries because while
Japan was able to rise up amidst the rubble of war and became an economic
power, the Philippines in contrast, remains in the pit of misery. Japan also has
emergency programs worth emulating. We have seen that during the tsunami and
Fukushima disaster. The world saw how calm and organized their recovery methods
are and there are designated refugee centers throughout the country with
well-stocked emergency supplies.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In comparison to the Philippines, kung kelan
tayo may calamity saka pa lang tayo mangangapa! <i>(We prepare for calamity when it's there.)</i> The recent typhoon Yolanda
proved our inability to handle crisis once more. And though we received a lot
of foreign donations, many of them were left rotting in the warehouse and many
were sold to the grocery stores. Chaos and pandemonium in the aftermath of the
typhoon went out of control because our politicians were busy in power tripping
and finger-pointing.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Incidentally, I have said the same thing many times in the
past comparing the Japanese leaders to our kapit-tuko disgraced politicians.
Japanese leaders embroiled in disgraceful controversy commit hara-kiri or
seppuku (suicide) while ours keep the status quo and lie to their teeth. Sila
na ang may kasalanan, sila pa ang galit! I don't advocate suicide as it is a
sin in many religious beliefs and culture. But at least, they should have the
decency to resign from their post for the good of the country so our leaders
can focus on other important issues. Japanese people also don't vote for
someone with known questionable background unlike the Filipinos who keep voting
for the same corrupt trapos and unqualified and inutile celebrities or
political dynasty for a measly sum or celebrity status. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Filipino voters
can't seem to separate personal admiration or adulation of the celebrity from
the qualities of a true public servants. This has been the cycle that our
people seem to be uninterested to change. Complacency and apathy became the
norm. Our current desolate state is the manifestation of our reckless and
"bahala na" attitude. Change comes from within! If we change our
mindset, we can affect TRUE CHANGE by voting for the right reason and not for
selfish reason. Vote for the right candidates because you know and you believe
these people have honest desire to serve the people. If the
candidate/s turned out to be corrupt or inept, don't vote for that person
again. If we do this, our politicians will be more conscientious in their job
knowing that come next election they will be out of job. We, the people have
that power to hire and fire public servants. Let's be conscientious and not
sell our votes. This is what PATRIOTISM is all about! Show love for the country
by doing the right thing. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~~~~O~~~~</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Marlene Howe</b> is c</i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>o-Founder
and Administrator of the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum and of the
Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims community as well as
administrator of this blog. Ms Howe is US based but keeps a home in the
Philippines.</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mQV2xHngm3r_qNsEGL4GPT6HsAsDF9Wett1htpg-vqL-L1JEU3DULa6P9nwIUC6y-XMHnpCyxwyKpb1cCJrO4By19qps108b1VKdJqVjC9QbYi7BnqzlyyaSi7yGKX72Ta90LeCqD9U/s1600/Philippines_flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mQV2xHngm3r_qNsEGL4GPT6HsAsDF9Wett1htpg-vqL-L1JEU3DULa6P9nwIUC6y-XMHnpCyxwyKpb1cCJrO4By19qps108b1VKdJqVjC9QbYi7BnqzlyyaSi7yGKX72Ta90LeCqD9U/s1600/Philippines_flag.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Lioness of Sabahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05958658929227906650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-55630349796071634412013-12-12T04:58:00.000-08:002013-12-12T04:58:53.065-08:00Year 2013 will be remembered as the Aquino Govt's anti-Filipino and anti-Philippine sovereignty year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlTiZER5iZMhnwZo7ovWViEQlw3A7hjfcOsx5lH6QjaUzSqBUPFmpy8ZQfS1wc1IDpeOJT055vqp89o33MreJ-tr6uySN1-s2ss80VmDdb8zY4Oz5Zlcv_MiGIytwQCWdZYhhR5J40Dn1/s1600/arson1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlTiZER5iZMhnwZo7ovWViEQlw3A7hjfcOsx5lH6QjaUzSqBUPFmpy8ZQfS1wc1IDpeOJT055vqp89o33MreJ-tr6uySN1-s2ss80VmDdb8zY4Oz5Zlcv_MiGIytwQCWdZYhhR5J40Dn1/s200/arson1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>And the
latest shocker: The incompetence and the corruption continue! Mr Aquino
and his agents played and are playing partisan politics as Tacloban and
the rest of the Visayas 'burned' and continue to burn in the post
Yolanda-Haiyan catastrophe.</b></i><br /><br />By Anne de Bretagne<br />12 December 2013<br />for the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum<br /><br />On the Philippine front: Year 2013 has been for me a most disappointing year. <br /><br />Firstly,
because whatever one says, Mr Aquino and many in his Govt of merry men
gave up Panatag Shoal without batting an eyelash. The Philippine Navy
until the reign of Mr Aquino had always fought to keep Panatag Shoal
despite their meagre assets. In the 90s, the PN did not allow poachers
in it and kept intruders in check. Today, we can say goodbye to Panatag
Shoal. Yes, the Philippines has raised the issue to the United Nations
but I am under no illusion that even if the UN verdict is in our favour,
Panatag will not be returned to PH. Let's face it: China has succeeded
in stationing themselves right in our EEZ and there's nothing much we
can do about it because the man who is supposed to lead this country
does not possess the moral courage and the mental acumen to lead and do
something about it.<br /><br />Secondly, the Sabah stand off showed the true
colours of the President of the Republic by overtly siding with Prime
Minister Najib and the Malaysian murderers of Tausugs who had gone to
Sabah to stake their claim. Mr Aquino, in his bid to honour the memory
of his father and his so-called promise to the Malaysians, wittingly
left out the Tausugs in his hurry to form the Malaysia-engineered
Bangsamoro with the MILF rebels.<br /><br />Thirdly: Filipinos then
discovered the massive corruption industry that's been keeping
Philippine politics alive and thriving which is also known as the Pork
Barrel Corruption industry! The industry is still thriving last time I
read the news but just renamed: DAP.<br /><br />Fourthly: And while PH was
still reeling from the incredibly corrupt Pork Barrel Corruption
industry shock, Filipinos began killing each other in the South. The
President led the charge in killing Filipinos. I am convinced that the
Zamboanga "stand-off" was an offshoot of this Govt's pro-Malaysia stand
that saw the unecessary killings of our own.<br /><br />And the latest
shocker: The incompetence and the corruption continue! Mr Aquino and his
agents played and are playing politics as Tacloban and the rest of the
Visayas 'burned' and continue to burn in the post Yolanda-Haiyan
catastrophe.<br /><br />These are the major issues that haunt Year 2013 for
me. Understandably, there are hundreds more of sub-issues but to list
them down is just depressing so I prefer to limit the list to the above
five. However, the year is not over and there remains a big question:
Will there be any more anti-Filipino and anti-Ph sovereignty events or
issues in store from the Aquino Govt for 2013?</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>~~~~O~~~~</b>NEMO NOS IMPUNE LACESSIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909345489441789699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-77249925764607645532013-12-09T09:14:00.000-08:002013-12-09T09:14:48.455-08:00Bangsamoro pact abolishes ARMM; MILF gets substate status, with 58 ‘exclusive powers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLFOG8afPTq8kDg_2rYEtUnqYUYWaac9KqzTcKT_9jwAZTR0gGgV75Ol58U2lw5Z1biJkzC67-KTJstEfWL4oxZOqIm0R_GXCpmfk74Tqp77re_UEScEabmMO0QVYTpnAb7gZgBDFGr0/s1600/bangsamoromilf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLFOG8afPTq8kDg_2rYEtUnqYUYWaac9KqzTcKT_9jwAZTR0gGgV75Ol58U2lw5Z1biJkzC67-KTJstEfWL4oxZOqIm0R_GXCpmfk74Tqp77re_UEScEabmMO0QVYTpnAb7gZgBDFGr0/s320/bangsamoromilf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bangsamoro pact abolishes ARMM; MILF gets substate status,
with 58 ‘exclusive powers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Written by <a href="http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/author/60-tribune">Tribune</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday, 10 December 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On its face, even as President Aquino hailed the power
sharing deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the peace pact with the
MILF may turn out to be unconstitutional, as the power sharing annex not only
provides the Moro rebel group with 58 “exclusive powers” but also abolishes the
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, even as the Constitution has not been
amended.<br />
Aquino’s peace deal with the MILF also establishes a full parliamentary system
of government for the Bangsamoro government, where a Cabinet government is
formed, and with the Chief Minister, or prime minister in a parliamentary
system elected by the Islamic parliament, and where the chief minister then
selects his deputy minister and other members who are also members of the
parliament of his Cabinet government.<br />
A no confidence vote can oust the chief minister by a two thirds vote, which is
also a feature of any parliamentary government. The country is under a
president system, not a parliamentary one. The peace pact appears to be no
different from the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) entered
into between the Arroyo government and the MILF, which was already declared
unconstitutional by the high court.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ministerial Bangsamoro government has been granted by
the Aquino peace panel at least 58 exclusive powers including the power over
ancestral domain and natural resources within its jurisdiction.<br />
Among the exclusive powers granted to the MILF ate the Barter trade and
countertrade with Asean countries; the establishment of government-owned and
controlled corporations and financial institutions; its own Islamic banking and
financing system; power over ancestral domains and natural resources; land
management, land distribution, and agricultural land use reclassification; expropriation
and eminent domain; the customary justice system which includes the
establishment of the Shariah court system ; the National Commission on Muslim
Filipinos (NCMF) that shall jointly promote the development of the Islamic
banking system, to include among others the establishment of a Shari’ah
supervisory board; receive grants and donations; power over inland waterways
for navigation; inland waters; public works and highways within the Bangsamoro
under its powers and establishment or creation of other institutions, policies
and laws for the general welfare of the people in the Bangsamoro.<br />
The power sharing annex had been considered highly contentious, with MILF
rebels seeking greater authority over a proposed autonomous region in the south
which will cover Muslim-dominated regions of this mainly-Catholic archipelago
of 100 million.<br />
The accord, signed by negotiators from the government and MILF representatives
in <st1:city w:st="on">Kuala Lumpur</st1:city>, is seen by the Palace and the
MILF as yet another step toward finally ending the bloody insurgency in the
southern <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>.<br />
A joint statement said both sides were now “confident” that they could soon
sign the last remaining annex on normalization and complete the comprehensive
peace agreement by January 2014.<br />
The newly-signed power sharing annex had been one of four preliminary accords
that had to be completed before a final peace deal could be signed.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/bangsamoro-pact-abolishes-armm-milf-gets-substate-status-with-58-exclusive-powers</div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-46393916997445846752013-11-21T08:45:00.000-08:002013-11-21T08:45:38.958-08:00The Taiwan Straits Crisis – A Hair’s Breadth from Annihilation<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1apnGXtywDaibeuXvE-HPM6Vc233uFj7iO7BINKTfu2mK7ImpzTk1hRd_kSIDTfva0LW2oYfGspMhpQ9W6q80fNBQY6do06rbGoUik-6rx1VKJ7sxO96aJiQFid2sr2Lf8OxbzeeWVKA/s1600/taiwanstraits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1apnGXtywDaibeuXvE-HPM6Vc233uFj7iO7BINKTfu2mK7ImpzTk1hRd_kSIDTfva0LW2oYfGspMhpQ9W6q80fNBQY6do06rbGoUik-6rx1VKJ7sxO96aJiQFid2sr2Lf8OxbzeeWVKA/s1600/taiwanstraits.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Taiwan Straits Crisis – A Hair’s Breadth from
Annihilation</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sixty years have come and gone, but the sun has yet to set
on the Taiwan Straits Crisis. Stranded on the rocky island of secrecy amid the
storms of the Cold War (1947-1991), the mists of time should not be permitted
to veil the lessons that must be learned. In the U.S. during the early 1950s,
Eisenhower was in office, China was engaged in a civil war, the Soviets were
antsy, and the Air Force longed to hear the words ‘the pickle is hot’
indicating they were free to unload armaments. The only thing missing from the
high-tension plot was a bevy of brilliant beauties unless, of course, you
consider Madam Chiang Kai-shek and Hedy Lamar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like a fine dining experience, the Taiwan Straits crisis
unfolds in courses paired with the appropriate drink. In the late 1920s, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> engaged
in a great civil war. Following the final gasp of the Qing Dynasty in 1917, <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> was an
unwieldy briar patch. From the political vacuum of swirling cultures and
societal chaos coupled with the sheer size of the country, two primary
competing forces emerged; Mao Tse-tung who would be at the helm of the Peoples’ Republic
of China (PRC) with a Communist agenda and Chiang Kai-Shek (ROC) who would
lead the forces that did not want communism.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://coldwarwarrior.com/2013/08/02/the-taiwan-straits-crisis-a-hairs-breadth-from-annihilation/">http://coldwarwarrior.com/2013/08/02/the-taiwan-straits-crisis-a-hairs-breadth-from-annihilation/</a></div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6979465823499668630.post-74887242580321380212013-10-19T22:21:00.000-07:002013-10-19T22:21:30.531-07:00Jamalul Kiram III dies, daughter says sultan wants Pinoys to continue fight for Sabah<div class="MsoNormal">
Jamalul Kiram III dies, daughter says sultan wants Pinoys to
continue fight for <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By: InterAksyon.com<br />
October 20, 2013 8:20 AM</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UPDATE 4 - 9:14 a.m.) <st1:city w:st="on">MANILA</st1:city>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region> - Sulu Sultan
Jamalul Kiram III passed away Sunday morning at the Philippine Heart Center
(PHC) in <st1:city w:st="on">Quezon City</st1:city>,
the sultan's daughter Princess Jacel Kiram, told dzMM radio. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kiram, who fought to reclaim Sabah from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>, died
at 4:42 a.m. He was 75. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was supposed to undergo dialysis but his blood pressure
dropped drastically prompting his family to rush the sultan to the PHC where he
died due to multiple organ failure, according to Princess Jacel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Iniwanan n'ya tayo [He left us] with something to
move on. We have to continue fighting for the Filipino people," his
daughter said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Ang gusto n'ya tayo na lang ho ang magpatuloy for
the Sabah case [What he wants is for us to pursue the <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>
case]," added Kiram's daughter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Princess Jacel said that before he died, her father said
that, "You have to be strong dahil meron pa tayong misyon sa buhay.
Kailangang maibalik kung ano ang dapat na maibalik sa atin You have to be
strong because we still have a mission in life. What needs to be returned
should be returned to us] ." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said Kiram also always told his family that,
"Everything happens because the Almighty allowed it to happen." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kiram's remains were brought to his residence at <st1:placename w:st="on">Maharlika</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Village</st1:placetype>
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Taguig</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Princess Jacel said their family would like to bury the
sultan in Maimbung, Sulu within 24 hours. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In February this year, Kiram sent about 400 of his
followers to Tanduao village in Sabah's remote coastal town of <st1:city w:st="on">Lahad Datu</st1:city> to reclaim the territory. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kiram said he was prompted to send his people to <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> after the Philippine government left them out of
the framework agreement signed in October, which only catered to the interest
of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>,
which took over <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> in 1963, that brokered
the peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the MILF respects the Kiram family's claim to <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> and won't stand in the way of that claim, it
"will not revive the claim," according to Khaled Musa, deputy
chairperson of the MILF's committee on information. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kiram, who ran but lost in the 2007 senatorial elections,
was the acknowledged leader of the Sultanate of Sulu and <st1:place w:st="on">North
Borneo</st1:place>. The sultanate based in Southern Philippines once
controlled North Borneo, which is now known as <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sultanate acquired <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>
as a prize for helping the Sultan of Brunei against his enemies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the sultante, it did not relinquish its
sovereignty over <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> and only leased the
territory to the Briitish North Borneo Company starting in 1878.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pajak, the keyword in the 1878 pact</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The keyword in the 1878 agreement between the Kiram family
and Gustavo von de Overbeck of the Briitish North Borneo Company
was pajak. The Kirams maintain that pajak means lease. But
Malaysian authorities define pajak as sale. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lease continued until the independence and formation of
the Malaysian federation in 1963, which included <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because of Sabah's inclusion, the Philippine government
during the presidency of Diosdado Macapagal, broke diplomatic relations with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was during Macapagal's term when then reigning Sultan of
Sulu, Muhammad Esmail E. Kiram I, ceded to the Philippine government the full
sovereignty, title, and dominion of Sabah to the Republic of the Philippines.
This gave the Philippine government the full authority to pursue its claim to <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> in international courts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But starting in 1989, succeeding administrations put the
Sabah claim on the back burner and instead decided to pursue economic and
security relations with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P70,000 for 7 million hectares </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up to now, the heirs of the sultanate receive rental money
for <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> from the Malaysian government. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sabah’s total land area is 7.36 million hectares or almost
one-fourth of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>,
which is 30 million hectares.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Annually, the Malaysian government pays the heirs of the
Sultanate of Sulu, 5,300 Malaysian ringgit currently equivalent to P70,000.
If pajak is defined as rent, it means that <st1:country-region w:st="on">Malaysia</st1:country-region>’s
annual rent of <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> is only .009 centavos per
hectare. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to Kiram, the rent they receive only proves that
the sultante owns <st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Why should we leave our own home? In fact, they are
paying rent (to us)," Kiram earlier told reporters in <st1:city w:st="on">Manila</st1:city>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Our followers will stay in Lahad Datu. Nobody will be
sent to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>.
<st1:place w:st="on">Sabah</st1:place> is our home," he added. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73106/sulu-sultan-jamalul-kiram-iii-passes-away</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM-BpAPTsk8bEMilFj0qSt78zT-oEatdgOae3EvgzfVzm_-_avLeZ9QIFHko2R6GnVnQZIRM4HQEW1b_zML8tHa22BeMI4Jwdl3zsEn31HWEur4o3mdiXe1JJCY6rp1ZlpA7eRkRpWmU/s1600/kiramsultansabah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM-BpAPTsk8bEMilFj0qSt78zT-oEatdgOae3EvgzfVzm_-_avLeZ9QIFHko2R6GnVnQZIRM4HQEW1b_zML8tHa22BeMI4Jwdl3zsEn31HWEur4o3mdiXe1JJCY6rp1ZlpA7eRkRpWmU/s320/kiramsultansabah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Fred Amoreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01784412046836459550noreply@blogger.com0