DFA verifying alleged abuses by Malaysians vs Pinoy civilians in Sabah

The Department of Foreign Affairs is verifying alleged abuses by Malaysian security forces on Filipino civilians in Sabah, where operations are ongoing to flush out followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said Sunday that if the reported abuses are found to be true, Manila may consider giving Kuala Lumpur a note verbale protesting the treatment.

"Although kailangan i-validate muna kung ito ang nangyari, hinihingi natin sa Malaysian side na dapat tratuhin ang ating mga tao doon sa Sabah sa makataong paraan," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said this is why the Philippines had been requesting Malaysia to open a humanitarian corridor to let women, children and civilians leave the area and return home.

Since last Tuesday, Malaysian security forces have been pounding Lahad Datu in Sabah to hunt down followers of Kiram, who had engaged them in deadly encounters since March 1.

A report on the Philippine Daily Inquirer Sunday quoted some of the Filipinos who fled Sabah as saying Malaysian policemen dragged men outside their houses, and hit and kicked them during a police sweep.

Hernandez said that if the verification shows the abuses took place, the Philippines may bring this to Malaysia's attention.

"Kung totoo ito ipaparating natin sa kanila dapat hindi ito mangyari. Importante ang kaligtasan ng bawa't mamamayan natin sa Lahad Datu at Sabah," he said.

He said one possibility is for the DFA to issue a note verbale that can contain the protest.

"Pwede mag-contain ng protest, 'yan ay isang official communication na pinaparating sa ibang bansa (A note verbale can contain the protest. The note verbale is our official communication with other countries)," he said. — LBG, GMA News

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