But the claim now resulted into violent clashes between the two sides, the followers of the Sultan of Sulu and the Malaysian military. Since last month, newspapers carry reports about the "takeover" of the land of Sabah by Filipino-Muslims loyal to the Sultan of Sulu. Other reports use the word "settlement" but the groups who arrived on Lahad Datu, Sabah carry arms and are "ready to die for their cause."
As of this writing, events continue to unfold about the claim. But all I know since my elementary days, this Sabah question started during the presidency of Diosdado Macapagal. Malaysia, after gaining freedom and independence from the hands of its British colonial lords, included Sabah in its territory. A historic speech by the great Senator Jovito Salonga (thanks to the internet) delivered in the Senate 50 years ago still rings a vigilant and resolute stand on the Sabah question.
This problem was carried over by the next president, Ferdinand Marcos. Reports of a supposed takeover, called Operation Merdeka, were leaked by then Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. included in his speech at the Senate. And in 1983, Ninoy allegedly talked to Malaysian authorities on dropping the Sabah claim.
The present Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III administration condemned the act of the Sultan of Sulu. He even said that the Sultan's forces should go home and be "tried" for their act is against the law. Filipinos were shocked by this statement coming from OUR president. He was bashed by comments coming from facebook comments and statuses on his "arrogant and mindless" principle on the Sabah question. Only a few minutes ago, the website of the President was hacked by Anonymous Philippines bearing their open letter to the President.
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| Screen shot of the hacked page of the President's website. Accessed March 14, 2013. |
As a Filipino, I side with the Philippines right to claim Sabah as part of our national territory. And our government should represent that claim. Enough said.
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