Princess MERRIAM KIRAM wants
bloody wars to end in Sulu. (bfc)
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“We should spare Sulu from becoming a battle ground again and spill the
blood of the Tausogs,’ Kiram said, adding that enough is enough because we
cannot continue to be fighting brothers against brothers, said the Princess.
“What’s the cause of this trouble? We should not allow ourselves to be
used by vested interest of persons and become as instruments to destroy our own
people, she stressed.
Princess Kiram said there are certain groups who are out to
sensationalized and exacerbate the issue in Sabah Sulu creating unnecessary
adverse impression about the province and its populace.
Princess’s appeal came following rumors of planned retaliatory attacks or
possible resumption of hostilities between the MNLF fighters and the militant
group in Sulu.
Sulu is rich in natural resources and the bloody confrontation came at a
time that most of the Tausugs are supposed to be enjoying the”fruit seasons”
where this part of the year’s there’s abundance of fruits such as the durian,
magosteen and lanzones.
The tension created out of the violence had deprived people from freely
harvesting their produce due to fear and displacement, Her Majesty
lamented. Prrincess Merriam said the issue can be resolved only through
peaceful means among brothers.
Atleast dozens were killed last week during the clashes from both the
Moro National Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf in Patikul which resulted to
evacuation of hundreds of terrified civilians from their homes.
According to reports, MNLF had launched campaign at recovering all kidnap
hostages from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf group as a show of its sincerity
in support for the Philippine government peace initiatives.
Meriam, favored wife of the late 34th renowned crown Sultan of
Sulu His Royal Highness Mahakuttah Kiram, who has been tagged as unifier of the
Royal House in Sulu after she spearheaded the organization of Royal House of
Sulu Kiram Foundation (RHSKF,Inc.) 2012, aimed at bringing together the
Royal heirs for peace and development in support of President Benigno Aquino
III agenda for reform. She is also currently the President of the Hong
Kong-based United World Foundation (UWF).
Recently, the Princess was in Sulu to lead the groundbreaking rites for
newly restored satellite Royal Center in Patikul unveiling the re-
establishment office structure.
The Kiram ancestors reigned over the Sulu archipelagic kingdom and other
territories since the 13th century and are the acknowledged
owners of Sabah (the then North Borneo).
At the time that we are establishing back the Royal Home, this
instability in peace happens, which is very unfortunate, she said.
US and Australian governments has warned their citizens against
travelling to southern Mindanao to include to Sulu archipelago due to threats
from kidnapping and terrorist activities.
In a phone patched interview from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Royal
Princess has reiterated her appeal for the restoration of normalcy in the
island province.
She said she will try to do her best to help with of the local
authorities to ease the tension in the province in order to stop further
bloodshed among tausog brothers and ensure the safety and protection of the
constituents in our homeland,”
For the meantime, she said after meeting with members of the royal family
in Sulu, she declared that, if there is a need not to allow outsiders from
going to Sulu, as suggested, then, she is supportive of that.
However, “let us help first in stopping the armed confrontation instead
address the issues through diplomacy and dialogue,” emphasized the Princess.
Though saddened by the incident, Princess expressed optimism that
under the a united Royal House Kiram Foundation, multifarious issues can be
resolved to include poverty and underdevelopment, ignorance, economic,
socio-political and cultural as well as historical errors can be corrected once
and for all.
‘Let there be unity and reconciliation in order to have peace and
prosperity in our homeland,” she stressed. (BFC)
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