MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) its report on the standoff between Malaysian security forces and armed followers of the Sulu sultanate which is pressing its territorial claims over Sabah.
But the NBI has refused to disclose the contents of the report submitted to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.
The DOJ chief earlier said she will study the report and submit it to President Benigno Aquino III.
De Lima said it is up to the President whether to give the clearance to make public the contents of the NBI report.
The standoff started last February when supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III pressed their territorial claims over Sabah, engaging in an armed conflict with the Royal Malaysian Police.
The government formed a joint committee tasked to investigate and find out if Kiram's group should be held criminally liable for the standoff.
Some Filipinos were charged by Malaysia with terrorism-related offenses for allegedly taking part in the Sabah standoff, which has resulted to casualties and forced Filipinos living in the disputed territory to evacuate to Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Sabah, located south of Mindanao, is territorially disputed by the Philippines and Malaysia.
The Philippine government's claim for sovereignty over Sabah has lain dormant for decades, but Malaysia continues to pay a yearly rent to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, who claim to be the descendants of the original Filipino sultan who had control over the territory for centuries. - Louis Bacani