DFA denies del Rosario labeled Kiram's followers 'terrorists'

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday denied DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario joined with the Malaysian government in labeling the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III terrorists.

In a statement, the DFA contested a report by Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency claiming del Rosario agreed to the terrorist label. “According to (Philippine ambassador to Malaysia Jose Eduardo III) Malaya who was present during the meeting, the report is out of context and the Secretary did not label the Filipino group as ‘terrorists,’" it said.

The DFA said Bernama may have misquoted the secretary over an alleged “terroristic act” in Semporna, where an ambush took place last Saturday. Citing a report by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, the DFA said police units were allegedly lured to the ambush and killed, with their bodies were brutally mutilated and desecrated.

"If indeed the atrocities were committed as reported to him, the Secretary and the Foreign minister both agreed that these were, at the very least, terroristic acts,” the DFA said.

Also, the DFA posted a "Q and A" on its website, saying the Bernama report was "out of context," and that del Rosario did not label Kiram's followers terrorists.

Instead, it said del Rosario was referring to "alleged acts of terrorism" in Semporna.

Shared position

A post on Malaysia's Bernama news agency's Twitter account Tuesday night had said del Rosario "shared" the position of Malaysia that the group should be considered terrorists.

"Malaysia considers the armed Sulu intruders as terrorists, and this was shared by Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario," it said.

In a later tweet, Bernama quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman as saying del Rosario had agreed to such a position.

Kiram's followers had engaged Malaysian authorities in a three-week standoff before bloody clashes broke out on March 1 and 2.

Last Tuesday, Malaysian security forces assaulted the area where Kiram's followers were believed to have holed up.

Meanwhile, del Rosario met Monday midnight with two Malaysian ministers to discuss “peaceful” solutions to the situation.

A news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs said del Rosario met with ministers Dato Sri’ Anifah Aman (Foreign Minister) and Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zamid Hamidi (Defense Minister).

The meeting took place midnight Monday.

Close cooperation

The DFA reiterated that Kiram's followers who may be charged with murder will be provided the "necessary assistance" by the Philippine government.

For now, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur appealed to Filipinos in Sabah to remain calm and abide by the guidelines issued by local authorities.

It also reiterated the relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia remains strong and both countries continue to exert efforts to enhance their bilateral relations.

"The Secretary believes that close cooperation between the two countries is necessary for dealing with the challenges presented by the current issue," it said.

The DFA also said Tuesday's assault will not affect the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. — DVM, GMA News