PGMA's TV/Radio Message calling for Prudence, Sobriety and Reason over the Sabah Repatriation Issue

PGMA's TV/Radio Message calling for Prudence, Sobriety and Reason over the Sabah Repatriation Issue

Study Room, Malacañang (31 August 2002)

A GREAT TRAGEDY IS HAPPENING IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES. I CAME FROM TAWI-TAWI THE OTHER DAY AND SAW FIRST HAND THE SUFFERINGS OF THOUSANDS OF DEPORTEES FROM SABAH. MANY OF THEM ARE SICK AND HUNGRY. THEY NEED OUR HELP.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR OUR NATION TO COME TOGETHER FOR A HUMANITARIAN CAUSE. I CALL UPON EACH AND EVERYONE TO EXTEND WHATEVER ASSISTANCE YOU CAN. WE DID THIS IN THE MOUNT PINATUBO DISASTER AND WE CAN DO IT AGAIN. OUR DISTRESSED BRETHREN NEED FOOD, MEDICINE, CLOTHING AND SHELTER. WE SHALL SET UP CENTERS TO RECEIVE DONATIONS IN CASH AND KIND. I AM ASKING ALL CIVIC-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS AND THE MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS TO PITCH IN. THIS IS WORK FOR THE ENTIRE NATION.

I TALKED TO PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMAD MAHATHIR ON THE PHONE YESTERDAY. WE CAME TO AN UNDERSTANDING ON HOW BEST TO EASE THE SITUATION AFFECTING OUR COUNTRYMEN IN SABAH.

I AM SENDING AN OFFICIAL MISSION TO KUALA LUMPUR ON MONDAY TO THRESH OUT THE DETAILS.

THE EVENTS HAVE BROUGHT IN THEIR WAKE SERIOUS CONTROVERSIES. I UNDERSTAND THE EMOTIONS GENERATED AMONG OUR PEOPLE BECAUSE OF CHILDREN HAVING DIED IN DETENTION CENTERS, THE CANINGS THAT THAT ARE HAPPENING, AND OTHER CONTROVERSIAL EVENTS THAT ARE BEING COVERED PROFUSELY IN THE MEDIA.

THERE ARE ALSO THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO EXPLOIT THE SITUATION TO SERVE THEIR SELFISH ENDS, TO ERODE OUR RELATIONS WITH MALAYSIA, OR TO PURSUE POLITICAL OR TERRORISTIC ENDS INIMICAL TO THE COMMON INTEREST OF BOTH NATIONS.

I MUST ASK FOR PRUDENCE, SOBRIETY AND REASON AMONG OUR PEOPLE.

MALAYSIA IS OUR ALLY IN SECURITY, PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT. TOGETHER WITH INDONESIA, IT IS A CO-SIGNATORY TO OUR TRILATERAL AGREEMENT ON THE INTERDICTION OF CRIME AND TERRORISM AMONG OUR COMMON SEAS. MALAYSIA HAS ASSISTED US IN THE PEACE PROCESS IN MINDANAO. WE ENJOY STRONG INVESTMENT AND TRADE TIES, PARTICULARLY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE BRUNEI-INDONESIA-MALAYSIA-PHILIPPINES EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA.

THE PROBLEM OF DEPORTEES FROM SABAH MUST BE VIEWED FROM THE OVERALL SPIRIT OF GOODWILL, AMITY AND MUTUAL RESPECT THAT HAVE CHARACTERIZED OUR RELATIONS WITH MALAYSIA.

MOREOVER, THE PHILIPPINE CLAIM TO SABAH MUST BE FIRMLY DELINKED FROM THE ISSUE OF DEPORTEES. WE SHOULD NOT TAINT OUR ACTIONS WITH GRANDSTANDING OR DIPLOMATIC ADVENTURISM. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO RESOLVE BILATERAL PROBLEMS BETWEEN LONG-STANDING FRIENDS.

WHAT WE NEED IS A PRAGMATIC, FOCUSED, EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM OPERATIONALLY, ADMINISTRATIVELY, DIPLOMATICALLY.

FIRST, THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF DEPORTEES MUST BE SECURED. THE NDCC SHALL BE ON TOP OF THIS EFFORT. IT SHALL ESTABLISH COORDINATION CENTERS AS NECESSARY TO ATTAIN THIS OBJECTIVE.

SECOND, THE AFP AND PNP MUST BE ON HEIGHTENED ALERT IN AREAS WHERE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OF LAW AND ORDER MAY ARISE. THE DILG SECRETARY SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STRATEGY AND DEPLOYMENT OPTIONS.

THIRD, THE LGUs MUST ADOPT A POLICY OF ACCOMMODATION TO EASE GEOGRAPHICAL CONGESTION. A PLAN MUST BE DRAWN UP BY THE DILG IN THIS REGARD. WE WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FOR THE LGUs INVOLVED.

FOURTH, THE DFA MUST WORK WITH THE DOH TO DEPLOY DOCTORS AND MEDICAL WORKERS TO CARE FOR OUR PEOPLE IN THE DETENTION CENTERS. DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES MUST BE SUSTAINED TO SUPPORT THIS END.

FIFTH, SPEEDY DOCUMENTATION PROCESSES ARE THE KEY. THE DFA AND DOLE MUST HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHO AND WHERE THE UNDOCUMENTED FILIPINOS ARE AND HOW THEY CAN BE LEGITIMIZED UNDER A ROLLING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

WE SHALL OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM. BUT EVERYBODY MUST HELP. THERE IS NO TIME FOR PARTISANSHIP OR PETTY POLITICS. LET US JOIN HANDS TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO OUR BRETHREN FROM SABAH.

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