Monday 4 March 2013

Aquino: Signs point to conspiracy

'Persons of interest' in Sabah conflict are being investigated 


The exact video in the text: 
 
MANILA - President Aquino on Monday said there are definite signs of a conspiracy in the move of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his followers to use force to press their claim over Sabah, Malaysia.

In a statement, Aquino told Kiram III, one of the claimants to the title of sultan of Sulu, that it is unreasonable to ask for understanding "when you have a gun pointed at my head."

He noted that aside from the lives of Kiram's men, the Philippine government is also concerned about the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah whose lives could be jeopardized by the Kiram group's action.

The President said he is not blind to signs that point to a conspiracy in the ongoing tension.

"Mulat tayo na may mga taong nagkutsabahan upang humantong tayo sa sitwasyong ito, isang sitwasyon na walang agarang solusyon. Ilan po sa kanila ay nakikita natin habang ang iba naman ay nagkukubli naman sa dilim," he said.

"Sa mga taong nasa likod nito, ngayon pa lang sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi kayo magtatagumpay. Pananagutin natin ang nagkasala sa bansa," he added.

He later told reporters that he had received intelligence reports and authorities are monitoring "persons of interest" on the Sabah issue.

Aquino said all the individuals pushing for the Kiram claim were mouthing the same lines over and over again. He also noted the Kirams would have had to spend at least P100,000 to hire a large boat to bring their forces to Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia.

Aquino said the Kiram family used 2 large boats and a speedboat to bring their men to Sabah.

He indicated that the Kirams could not have financed the operation, noting that Kiram III is receiving financial support from the government through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for his regular dialysis.

Aquino said the Kiram family used 2 large boats and a speedboat to bring their men to Sabah.

"Funds and the food, the money that was left behind, yung mga concerted, seemingly concerted criticisms all point to a conspiracy," he said.

Asked about the meeting between former President Gloria Arroyo's National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Jamalul Kiram, the President said he does not accuse without the proper evidence.

"Hintayin na lang po natin ang resulta ng imbestigasyon," he said.

Aquino said he spoke with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak who said negotiations with the Kiram group were no longer possible after the deaths of Malaysian police commandos last week. -- 

ANC, March 4, 2013

No comments:

Post a Comment