SAYS CHIZ: Pinoys must rally behind PNoy on Sabah

MALOLOS CITY—Re-electionist Senator Francis Escudero called on Filipinos to trust and rally behind President Benigno Aquino in dealing with the Sabah crisis.

He also warned spectators including politicians to slow down on their comments to prevent escalation of hostilities that may end up in war.

“Hayaan po natin ang Pangulo na magdesisyon sa usapin sa Sabah, Galangin natin suportahan ang Pangulo dahil mabigat ang kanyang pasanin,” Escudero said in a press conference on Monday.

The re-electionist senator skipped the sortie of Team PNoy in Baguio City and chose to meet with journalists based in the province.

He explained that in dealing with the Sabah crisis, it is important for the country to have one voice on the issue.

“Huwag tayong sa publiko maghugas ng maruming damit, Hayaan natin ang Pangulo ang magsalita, suportahan natin siya, tama o mali ang kanyang desisyon, saka na lang tayo maningil,” he said.

Escudero also warned candidates in joining the fray saying “huwag na tayong makisawsaw,national interest na ang usapin, hindi ang pagsikat ng kandidatong pulitiko.”

He also reacted to proposals that the country must send an armed group to rescue the 200 member of the Royal Army of the Sulu Sultanate now trapped in Lahad Datu in Sabah.

Escudero said that 30 million lives in Mindanao and about 100 million in the whole country are at stake in case such proposals are heeded.

He said that there could be war between the Philippines and Malaysia noting that Malaysia will not just allow another armed group from the country to enter their territory.

Escudero said that the same principle is being followed by Malacanang in the case of Scarborough shoal off the coast of Zambales which is disputed between the Philippines in China.

“Kapag nagpadala tayo ng navy sa Scarborough tutumbasan o hihigitan pa yan ng China, ano ang mangyayari, baka giyera ang kalabasan,” he said.

Escudero added, “hindi dapat iba-iba ang boses natin ngayon, dapat ay iisa lang. Hindi natin dapat pag-awayan at pagdebatihan yan.” Dino Balabo