Arrest of LP bets a mistake – Palace

MANILA, Philippines - The arrest of Liberal Party (LP) members and their supporters by Malaysian forces was a mistake that had been resolved by Philippine and Malaysian officials, Malacañang said yesterday.

“My understanding is that they have been processed and are on their way back to… their home province. So I think that should be the end of it. There’s really nothing more than that,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said in a press briefing.

“I don’t believe that there will be (charges against them). It seems there has just been a mistake. So I don’t think there will be anymore to it than that,” he said.

Those held were Languyan Mayor Rommel Matba, his running mate and cousin Amman Matba, escort PO2 Hassan Bin Abdiullah and at least 21 supporters of LP gubernatorial bet Norbert Sahali.

They were on a motorized boat that drifted near Lahad Datu, the coastal village in Sabah where fighters of the Sulu sultanate had earlier battled Malaysian security forces.

“They wandered into that territory; they’ve been processed and they’ll be back maybe (yesterday or today),” Carandang said.

He said it would be safe to conclude that Philippine authorities were able to convince the Malaysians that they were not supporters of Agbimuddin Kiram in Sabah.

Malaysian Defense Minister Zahid Hamidi ordered the release of the 33 Filipinos late Tuesday following an appeal from Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

The Philippine government said Matba, a nephew of former Tawi-Tawi governor Gerry Matba, and his supporters were on their way to Taganak or the Turtle Islands to campaign when their boat, the M/L Sheralyn, developed engine trouble. Strong waves pushed it toward Tambisan Point near Lahad Datu.

President Aquino ordered Del Rosario to secure the release of the Filipinos, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

Del Rosario then rang up his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman to ask that the Filipinos be freed.