Violence not the solution in Sabah, group of elders tell Sulu Sultan's followers

MANILA: Amid the escalating conflict in Sabah, governors from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Monday appealed to Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to ask his followers to peacefully return to the country.

The five ARMM governors Abdusakur Tan of Sulu; Sadikul Sahali of Tawi-Tawi; Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao; Jum Akbar of Basilan; and Mamintal Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur also said the use of force was not the way to pursue the sultanate's claim to Sabah, and implored it to follow international rules and protocols in fighting for their cause.