MANILA, Philippines – Actor Robin Padilla expressed support for Sultan Jamalul Kiram III amid tension in Sabah, where more than 200 followers of the Sultanate of Sulu remain.
He arrived at Kiram's residence in Taguig Saturday afternoon via a helicopter.
The 43-year-old Kapamilya star, who is a Muslim, expressed sadness over the blood loss in the town of Lahad Datu.
"Sa nangyayari ngayon, nakakalungkot na Muslim sa Muslim... Kung mapapanood niyo at makikita niyo sa video, masakit iyon," said Padilla.
The firefight between Kiram’s men and Malaysian authorities on Friday led to the deaths of 14 people, 12 of whom are from the group led by Kiram’s brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram.
The sultanate's followers have been holed up in Lahad Datu since February 12 in an effort to strengthen their claim to the Malaysian territory.
On Saturday, President Benigno Aquino III through spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the path chosen by Sulu Sultan’s Royal Army to stay in Sabah was "wrong," and urged the troop to "surrender without conditions."
But Padilla questioned the government’s stance in handling the standoff.
"Kailangan marami akong tanong na dapat masagot. At ganoon din sa ating mga namumuno ng inang bayang Pilipinas, kung bakit pinapayagan nating mamatay ang ating mga kababayang Pilipino," he said.
"Muslim ako. Nakikita ko ang hindi tama. Nandito ako para mag-apila. kKpwa Pilipino na natin ang pinapatay doon," he said.
Addressing press members at Kiram's residence, Padilla added, "Ako'y katulad din po ninyo, maraming tanong. Kaya po ako narito, upang magtanong."
Asked for his stand on Kiram's claim of right to Sabah and the political tension surrounding the issue, the actor said he only seeks at this point the counsel of the sultan.
"Ang posisyon ko rito, bale wala naman. Ang importante dito, kinikilala ang sultan ng Sulu. Nandito ako dahil nagpupugay ako sa nag-iisang sultan," said Padilla, who credits Kiram for his faith.
During his time at the New Bilibid Prison, Padilla converted to Islam, which he said was "brought" to him by Kiram.
"Alam naman po ng lahat na ako'y balik-Islam, at ang nagdala po sa Bilibid ng islam sa akin ay si sultan. Hindi ko pwedeng makalimutan 'yon," he said. -- With a report from Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News
source: abs-cbnnews.com
