Jamalul Kiram III: Charges against 8 Filipinos are "illegal"

The self-declared Sulu "sultan" Jamalul Kiram III said that it's "illegal" for Malaysia to file terrorism and waging war charges against the eight Filipinos.

According to a report in the Philippines media Global Nation Inquirer, citing Abraham Idjirani, spokeperson for Jamalul, the sultanate would file a complaint in the International Court of Justice against the Malaysian officials responsible for the filing of charges against the eight Filipinos.

“We condemn this terroristic act of Malaysia because they do not own Sabah. They are only occupants. In fact, Malaysia is still paying rent to the sultanate of Sulu,” Idjirani said in the news report.

“We are concerned that eight fellow Filipinos are now being accused of an offense that carries a penalty of death. That’s illegal because Sabah belongs to the sultanate of Sulu,” he added.

Earlier, it was reported that Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino had directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to retain lawyers to defend the Filipinos in the Sabah court and that the government plans to prosecute the followers of the Jamalul when they return to the Philippines.

The eight Filipinos, were among detained under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act, or SOSMA in short, were charged at the High Court yesterday.

The use of SOSMA was for procedural matters in court, such as not allowing bail for the accused.

Meanwhile, it was reported that more suspects arrested will be produced in court and charged with a variety of offences in the coming weeks.