Manila: The Philippine government, through its embassy in Malaysia, has been providing humanitarian assistance to some 500 Filipino-Muslims who were caught in the crossfire between Malaysian forces and the brother of a Filipino sultan who led 300 followers to occupy a village and enforce the family’s claim over resource-rich Sabah, a local paper said.
The Filipino-Muslims who have been working in Sabah for several years, were evacuated at Cenderawasih, Embasa Budi, and Fajar Harapan in Felda Sahabat, as Malaysian forces continued to hunt Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram and his more than 300 followers who occupied Tanduao Village in Lahad Datu on February 9, said an Inquirer report from Lahad Datu.
The Filipino Muslims reside in areas where the Kiram camp and the Malaysian forces have been engaged in clashes since early March, said the report, adding that various Malaysian non-government organisations have been sending relief goods to them at the evacuation centres,
It is not known if they will be sent home to the southern Philippines.
The Malaysian government has been continuously deporting illegal overseas Filipino-Muslims in Sabah, which is a two-hour ride by speedboat from the southernmost part of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.
Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino received assurance from Malaysian Prime Minister Najeeb Razak that the 850,000 Filipino-Muslims in Sabah will be protected despite the clashes between the Malaysian forces and the armed men of the Kiram family, said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, adding the two leaders talked over the phone on March 2.
Since then, however, refugees who were sent to their hometowns in the southern Philippines have come back with stories of abuse and maltreatment.
A refugee, identified as Amira Taradji, said her brother was one of the men shot dead by the Malaysian police. It happened after they were ordered by the Malaysian police to run.
Malaysian forces have been arresting Filipino-Muslims who were suspected as supporters of Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, reports said.
In reaction to stories of maltreatment, rights groups including lawmakers called on the government to protest the maltreatment of Filipino-Muslims in Sabah.
The Blas F. Ople Policy Centre also called on the International Labour Organisation to monitor abuses being committed by Malaysian authorities on Filipino-Muslims in Sabah.
Malaysia and the Philippines should ensure the rights and welfare of migrant workers in conflict-afflicted communities in Sabah, said Susan Ople, head of the non-government organisation.
