MANILA - President Aquino is visiting Malaysia next week but he will not raise the Philippines' controversial claim to Sabah. Instead, the President said he will discuss trade and economic issues as well as the peace process in Mindanao with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Last year, followers of the Sultanate of Sulu occupied Lahad Datu - land they call their own. Several Filipinos have been detained there because of the violent siege. There is also a crackdown in illegal aliens in Malaysia but Aquino said there have been no reports of abuse against undocumented Filipinos. "Ang klaro sa akin, may mga dine-deport sila na parang wala raw kaukulang mga work permits, na bilang ng 140 o 150 plus na grupo, hindi naman ginawang daan-daang libo o daang libo 'yung dating naiisip. Parang inaalalayan din tayo sa pagbabalik ng ating mga kababayan na di umano'y lumabag sa kanilang mga batas... So wala pa akong nakitang pruweba nitong alleged human rights violations. Walang nai-report sa atin ang kaukulang ahensiya ng gobyerno, ng DFA, at pinapaalala sa atin parati, pati doon sa mga nasa Lahad Datu e, represented sila by counsel. So ongoing ang trial nila. So pinapangalagaan din natin ang karapatan nila through fair and due process," Aquino said. ANC HEADSTART, February 20, 2014
