THE protracted standoff brought about the incursion of some 156 Filipino Muslims led by Sulu Sultanate Crown Prince Rajah Muda Azzimudin Kiram to Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia last Feb. 9 comes ill-timed for the Aquino administration now faced with a midterm election.
For one, President Aquino and his administration need Malaysia in finally sealing a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that would hopefully end the four-decade Muslim insurgency in Mindanao.
Malaysia has been facilitating the peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF, and it has been pretty successful in paving the way for the historic signing of the Framework Agreement for Bangsamoro last year.
This framework peace agreement is so far the most important document ever produced in the on-and-off peace talks between the government and the MILF, and hopefully, the annexes that would complement it would lead to the final comprehensive peace agreement the Aquino administration wants to sign this year.
The Philippines also needs Malaysia in making common cause to defend their seas against China’s bullying over the dispute on the islands in the South China Sea, locally referred to as the West Philippine Sea.
Both Philippines and Malaysia are claiming some islands in the South China Sea, and they need each other to stand up against the bullies. But the standoff in Sabah might just damage the otherwise good relations between these two friendly countries.
It is so easy to be patriotic to stand behind the cause of Sulu Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Kiram III who was allegedly tricked into leasing the island to foreigners some decades back. Now, Kiram who is suffering from failed kidneys is receiving nominal fee for the island lease.
One cannot help ask – who stands to benefit from this Sabah standoff? Kiram seems to be a hapless pawn in the whole equation as the country’s claim to Sabah has long been dormant and, once revived by the Aquino administration, may take the long and tedious route to the International Court of Justice.
Kiram could not also run to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) where Philippines and Malaysia belong unless ASEAN pulls its socks up if it wants to be relevant in regional affairs.
The one who stands to benefit really are those personalities and some groups which do not like to have peace and progress reign in Mindanao during our lifetime.
President Aquino should expose the identities of these people and groups or we as a people are at the losing end.
Otherwise, we may just bring the peace talks with MILF to its final resting place.
