Foreign Minister del Rosario takes responsibility for Sulu sultan’s ‘missing letter’; Apologized

Philippines Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario

Philippines Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has taken "full responsibility" for failing to attend to a letter that Sultan Jamalul Kiram III's brother had sent to President Benigno Aquino in 2010 to seek the Sulu sultanate's participation in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a statement early Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the "missing letter" of Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram had been found to be in the foreign office's keep.

The Rajah Muda is now at the lead of the Sulu group standing their ground in Lahad Datu, Sabah where gunfights erupted with security forces last week.

"On the issue of the missing letter written by Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to the President days before the President took his oath in June 2010, that letter has been found with the DFA. The Secretary is taking full responsibility for the oversight," said the DFA.

The statement did not elaborate on the content of the letter and how it got "lost in the bureaucratic maze," as Aquino himself had said last week in explaining why the government had failed to respond to the sultanate's letter.

In addressing Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram on Feb 26, Aquino said, "There was no intention to ignore your letter."

The Kirams had said their group decided to pursue the Philippines' claim to Sabah last month as they felt left out of the peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.

The two sides had achieved strides last year, with the signing of a framework agreement for the establishment of a Bangsamoro entity.

The DFA said the Kirams' independent act in Sabah "should not affect the peace process with the MILF."

Foreign secretary to apologize to Sulu Sultanate for unanswered letter

Del Rosario is set to formally apologize to the heirs of the Sulu sultanate for failing to attend to a letter Rajah Mudah Agbimmudin Kiram, younger brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, had sent to the government in 2010.

The letter seeks the revival of the country's dormant claim to Sabah and a role in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In a text message, Del Rosario said he intends to write a letter expressing his regrets for overlooking the letter that Rajah Mudah Agbimmudin Kiram sent President Aquino just before he assumed office almost three years ago.

"I intend to write a letter of apology," said Del Rosario.

He earlier took "full responsibility for the oversight" of the letter, which the President earlier said was "lost in the bureaucratic maze."

Aquino earlier appealed to the Kirams not to feel ignored because of the unattended letter.

In a statement early Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the "missing letter" of Agbimuddin Kiram had been found to be in the foreign office's keeping.

Philippine Daily Inquirer