Philippine gov't discourages Kiram from sending more troops to Sabah

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government is discouraging Sultan Kiram Jamalul III from sending more of his supporters to Sabah, noting that this won't resolve the conflict in northern Borneo.  

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said today that if Kiram and his followers want a peaceful resolution, sending reinforcement troops won't help or improve the situation.

"If they claim to want a peaceful resolution, they should be moving towards that direction. We don't see that happening on their side," Lacierda said in a briefing.

Lacierda said the government continues to extend help to Filipinos who are returning from Sabah following the standoff in Lahad Datu.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development ( DSWD), some 5,349 persons have returned from Sabah since the stand- off started in February.

The DSWD added that 50 representatives of government agencies drafted an action plan to track and ensure that services are provided to families returning from Sabah.

"One action plan is to issue a Family Access Card to displaced persons from Sabah upon disembarkation to any point in Mindanao. The Provincial Social Welfare Officers (PSWOs) of the three provinces of ARMM -- Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan-- will provide color-coded cards to displaced families to entitle them to services being provided by the national and local governments and to prevent duplication in the availment of the services," DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Hashim-Taradji said.

Taradji explained that the access cards will systematize provision of relief, transportation, shelter assistance and cash- for-work to displaced families. She said the DSWD will also deploy 12 social workers to Sabah on Monday to reinforce the efforts of staff currently assisting the affected Filipinos.

She said DSWD will also deploy a four-man team to Tawi-Tawi and Sulu on April 9-13 to undertake needs assessment and contingency planning for the continued arrival of displaced Filipinos from Sabah.

The DSWD and non-governmental organizations have provided a total of P10.4 million ($252,611) worth of humanitarian aid to displaced families. The aid includes relief packs, hygiene kits and transportation assistance.