MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines dismissed claims of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III that the government is planning to turn him over to Malaysian authorities to face the charges in connection with the armed incursion in Lahud Datu in February.
"I don't want to dignify any statement coming from the Kirams," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a news briefing.
Kiram in a press conference said the Aquino government is planning to extradite him to Malaysia following the clash between his followers and Malaysian authorities in February.
About 180 followers, some of them armed, of the Sulu Sultanate Jamalul Kiram III sailed from southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi to Lahad Datu in Sabah on Feb. 12 to assert their claim over the minerals- and oil-rich territory. Kiram's men wanted to stay in Lahud Datu claiming that Sabah is part of their territory. Both the Philippines and Malaysia are claiming Sabah as part of their territory.
Lacierda said investigations on the incident along with a review of the Philippine claim is still on going.