Noy kay Kiram: Paalisin mo ang mga tao mo sa Sabah

MANILA, Philippines - Hinimok ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III si Sultan Jamalul Kiram III na pauwiin na ang kanyang mga tauhan kabilang si Prince Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram, na dumating sa Lahad Datu sa Sabah at pinapalibutan ngayon ng mga awtoridad ng Malaysia.

"This is a situation that cannot persist. If you are truly the leader of your people, you should be one with us in ordering your followers to return home peacefully," sabi ng Pangulo sa isang pulong-balitaan sa sa Palasyo ngayong Martes ng umaga.

"The right thing to do now would be to order your followers to return home as soon as possible," dagdag ng Pangulo.

Aniya, hindi lamang inilalagay sa panganib ng mga tauhan ni Kiram ang kanilang mga sarili kundi maaaari ring madamay ang iba pang Pilipino na nagtatrabaho a Malaysia dahil sa idinulot na gulo ng paggiit nila ng kanilang karapatan sa pag-aari sa Sabah.

"The action of these people purporting to be your followers, endangers more than just their own lives. They also put at risk our countrymen peacefully engaged in their livelihood in Sabah. These are hundreds of thousands of individuals. Their families, dependent on their wages, are likewise being made to suffer. Filipinos residing in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, who trade with Sabah, have had their commerce disrupted. Most of these people are your fellow Muslims," sabi ni Aquino.

Sinabi pa ng Pangulo na ang dinadaing ni Sultan Kiram ay maaaring maresolba sa matahimik na usapan.

"The avenue of peaceful and open dialogue is still available to us. Let us therefore sit down as brothers to address your grievances in a peaceful, calm manner according to our laws and according to correct processes when your people arrive home," ani Aquino.

Sa kanyang apela, binalaan pa ni Aquino si Sultan Kiram at ang kanyang mga tauhan na maaari silang managot dahil sa kanilang ginawang pagkilos.

"The choices and consequences are yours. If you choose not to cooperate, the full force of the laws of the state will be used to achieve justice for all who have been put in harm’s way," sabi ni Aquino.

Maaaring managot ang grupo ng Sultan sa paglabag sa "Article II Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy."