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Published: Sunday March 3, 2013 MYT 2:13:00 PM
Updated: Sunday March 3, 2013 MYT 4:34:54 PM

Philippines to assist Filipinos affected by clash

By ISABELLE LAI


PETALING JAYA: The Philippines Embassy has sent a team to Lahad Datu to assist Filipinos affected in the Sulu Sultanate Army's bloody clash with Malaysian security forces.

Its ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya told Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar that the team was there for a humanitarian and consular mission.

“We would also like to extend consular assistance to the wounded and other affected nationals, and have access to them once practicable,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Malaya and Foreign Affairs undersecretary (deputy minister) Jose S. Brilliantes had met briefly with Ismail yesterday morning in Lahad Datu.

Brilliantes added that the embassy team would see how it could further work with local authorities to assist its nationals affected by the situation.

He was dispatched from Manila on Feb 25 to assist the embassy in handling the situation. Embassy officials currently in Lahad Datu as part of its consular team include Consul General Medardo Macaraig, police attache Charlo Collado, Assistance to Nationals officers Mustapha Lucman and Ariel Esparto, attach Joy Calip and police administrative assistant Pastor Reano.

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