Eight Filipinos are facing terrorism charges filed by Malaysian
Police in connection with the ongoing standoff in Sabah. Filed charges against the Filipinos include
the launching of terroristic acts under Section 130A of the Penal Code, which
carries a jail term of up to 30 years, and the waging of war against Malaysian
King Abdul Halim under Section 121 of the Penal Code, which carries a
punishment of death penalty on conviction.
The spokesman of the Sulu sultanate, Abraham Idjirani, said that
Malaysian authorities failed to fully disclose the evidence used in the
terrorism charges against the eight Filipinos. He condemned the filing of
charges against the eight men and feared that the handling of cases might lack
transparency and that there might be violations committed against the rights of
the Filipinos.
The Sabah standoff between the Malaysian government and supporters of
Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram of Sulu, has been going for
weeks with no end in sight. This prompted Malaysian police to crack down on
supporters of Agbimuddin’s group in Lahad Datu. Many Filipinos in Lahad Datu
and neighboring towns have since fled and went back to the Philippines via
Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.
Filipinos who were able to flee tell stories of how Malaysian
authorities have committed human rights violations. There were reports that
many Filipinos end up getting beaten in jail and some women are even raped.
Malaysian authorities have denied these allegations.
The ongoing standoff between Agbimuddin’s group and the Malaysian
authorities has claimed several lives on both sides. In addition to that, many
Filipinos who went to Malaysia for greener pastures now have no choice but to
flee and leave their jobs and businesses in fear of getting caught in the
middle of this skirmish.
There are many Filipinos, particularly those from Tawi-Tawi and Sulu,
who sneak into Malaysia particularly in the towns of Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kota
Kinabalu, and Kudat. They ride motorized boats colloquially called “lansa” or “lancha”. They often are able to blend in since Filipinos and Malays
have similar features. They are also able to learn the Malay dialect easily which
makes it easier for them to fit in.
Rumors that Agbimuddin has left his supporters and escaped to
Southern Tawi-Tawi have recently circulated although his family in Manila
stress firmly that he is still in Malaysia and that these rumors are just the
Malaysian authorities’ propaganda to break the morale of Agbimuddin’s
supporters.
