MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday reiterated his administration’s theory that the ongoing crisis in Sabah was the result of a conspiracy, and not solely the handiwork of the Sultan of Sulu, and vowed to hold liable those who deliberately put Filipino lives in harm’s way.
Looking grim, Aquino preceded a hastily called press conference with a short speech, saying authorities had evidence that several people, some of them high-profile, others working “in the shadows,” had instigated the mission to send hundreds of the sultan’s followers to Sabah, to reclaim their homeland, triggering the deadly standoff that was broken with sporadic shootings since Saturday. More than a dozen people were dead on both sides, in at least three areas in Sabah.
"Mulat tayo na may mga taong nagkuntsabahan upang humantong tayo sa sitwasyong ito. Isang sitwasying walang agarang solusyon. Ilan po sa kanila ay nakikita natin, habang ang iba naman ay nagkukubli pa rin sa dilim," the President said.
Aquino said Kiram III's group won't be able to launch such action in Sabah without conspirators, whom he said were critics of the government.
He said he had also observed that the critics were espousing only one line to instigate and further worsen the situation, adding that "concerted criticisms all point to a conspiracy."
"Pinalubha nila ang isyung ito at ginagawa nila ito habang nilalagay sa peligro ang daan-daang libong Pilipino," he said.
He warned those behind Kiram III's group that "they will not succeed."
"Pananagutin natin ang mga nagkasala sa bansa," Aquino said.
His earlier assertion last week that the mission was a “conspiracy” had angered Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, and drew flak from critics, who said the President spoke from a position of ignorance and insensitivity by implying the sultanate could be manipulated by others.
Also on Monday, Aquino stood pat on his demand to Kiram III's followeres to lay down their arms, saying a negotiation with the group over its claim to Sabah won't materialize if they would not surrender.
"Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang panawagan ko sa angkan ni Jamalul Kiram III. Hindi resonableng humingi ng pang-unawa kung nakatutok ang iyong armas sa mukha ng iyong kausap. Mgasisimula lamang ang resonableng usapan oras na maging handa kayong huminahon at magtimpi at humarap sa mesa ng may bukas na pag-iisip."
source: interaksyon.com