Sulu sultan seeks Catholic bishop's help

Kiram seeks Pope Francis' help on Sabah claim

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 04/01/2013 6:29 PM | Updated as of 04/01/2013 6:29 PM

MANILA - Sultan Jamalul Kiram III met with Catholic leaders in the Philippines with the hope that his group’s claim to Sabah could reach Pope Francis in Vatican.

Kiram met with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Jose Palma for almost an hour on Monday.

Kiram showed the Catholic leader legal and historical records, including receipts, which he said prove the sultanate’s ownership of Sabah.

Palma promised to bring the case to the Vatican Council, which is also hoping for a peaceful end to the conflict.

The spokesman for the Kirams, lawyer Abraham Idjirani, explained it was a “brother-to-brother” talk since the issue already transcends not only to Muslims, but Catholics as well.

He said Catholic Filipinos are also affected by the alleged maltreatment of the Malaysians.

Almost 5,000 Filipinos have fled Sabah since Malaysian security forces launched an offensive against what they call the "armed intruders."

The Filipinos began arriving in Mindanao in early March after clashes broke out.

The clashes have left more than 60 Pinoys dead along with 10 Malaysian security personnel, according to Malaysian authorities.

President Benigno Aquino has previously expressed concern that the unrest in Sabah might displace the estimated 800,000 Filipinos working there.

MANILA (1st UPDATE) - Self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Monday met with Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CPCP) president Archbishop Jose Palma to ask for Catholic leaders' support to resolve the Sabah crisis.
Kiram, his daughter Jacel, spokesman Abraham Idjirani, adviser Pastor "Boy" Saycon, and anti-crime activist Dante Jimenez met with Palma in the CBCP office in Intramuros.
The meeting sought a peaceful resolution to the violence in Sabah, which sultan is claiming.
Kiram's group also wanted to inform the CBCP about the alleged abuses that Filipinos are experiencing in Sabah.
"Meron kami mga video na galing sa mga deportees galing sa Sabah... will have this copy sa CBCP on Wednesday," Jacel Kiram claimed. "Dito pinapakita na minamaltrato ang mga Pilipino sa Sabah bago sila patayin."
Palma said he wants a Vatican agency to help solve the issue.
"They were hoping I will be able to find a way as a bishop but I haven't promised really much except I will seek the advice of the people who I believe can help in the situation," he said.
He denied that the Kirams sought his help to talk to President Benigno Aquino.
Palma is heading to Rome next to raise the issue at the Vatican Council

from a report by Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News

Posted at 04/01/2013 9:49 PM | Updated as of 04/01/2013 9:49 PM