MANILA, Philippines --- Many seasons ago, I set a meeting with Jamalul Kiram III, then a Senate candidate. Present were his niece and gracious wife. On the liberation of Sabah, I queried him why he did not aspirate this as “battle cry” for his bid or how come the Arroyo Administration failed to espouse said platform in the campaign? The curt reply was, “The Palace worried Malaysia may finance the opposition.”

A sober diagnosis, given the patron of two “liberation fronts” assaulting Southern Mindanao, disuniting people with country, starting with the MNLF, was Malaysia (Edd Usman interview of Hadji Acmad Bayam former MNLF propagandist, March 5, 2013 Manila Bulletin). The crowning glory of Kuala Lumpur’s asymmetrical warfare on the Philippines is “peace sponsor” of their very own unleashed MILF-mercenaries successfully carving a political territory against the Republic. I recall, the impartiality of Malaysia in the peace process cited by former Senator Rodolfo Biazon cautioning President P-Noy, with Governor Manny Pinol and Mayor Celso Lobregat publicly discrediting Kuala Lumpur’s sincerity. But nobody was listening. Except the AFP, quietly aware the MILF is a proxy of Malaysia, to safeguard Sabah, by keeping us disunited and at war; our national leaders constantly seduced or supported with “30 pieces of silver.”

 Kiram III related when a very high Batasan official transfigured as an agent (with blessings of a previous Administration), presented documents for signature which in effect, surrendered ownership over Sabah. In return, he was bribed several billions of pesos, “enough to even run for president,” Kiram III quoted the Congressional official. “Maybe if it was a streetsweeper who brought me the papers, I would have signed it. Since it was (name of official), I did not,” retorted Kiram III. Later research put Malaysian offer via channels at $1 billion. If current Palace advisers perchance think Kiram III for sale, they misread the integrity of his cause. The clan has suffered too long, and as law abiding citizens, having reposited their faith and loyalty to the Philippines. Even championing presidents in the past, in the hope that as Filipinos, our government which acquired sovereignty and dominion over Sabah, will protect and defend the national interest and the patrimony of the country. Yet the duplicity of the “peace process” previously accommodating the MNLF (now penitent and supportive of Philippine Sabah) and the present MILF, were all because of armed conflict and rebellion vs. the Republic -- might as torrens title. Compare, this Administration travelled to Japan to meet a rebel leader? To give grants for rebel leadership training? To visit the MILF camp? Will amend the Constitution as main agenda of a new Senate to concede unconstitutional political commitments signed in the Bangsamoro Framework? Senate leadership under fire to support “Cha-Cha” or else his son will be “Pcos-ed? Or replaced as Senate President? While two Kiram III letters were officially lost? A Palace travel to Taguig highly inconvenient? Threats and arrest for Kiram followers? In the scale of moral ascendancy, historical title, and legal right, who deserves our support -- the Malaysian-MILF, or the Kiram Family? Who merits national gratitude -- those who would dismember the country, or the Sultanate which expanded Philippine territory and wealth? Who are the real instigators of violence and war in Southern Mindanao? The “collaborators” of this grand scheme to put in doubt our claim to Sabah, if not surrender it? To weaken our territorial integrity?