Statement of Sen. Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, on Recent Developments in the Sabah Situation

"We should all welcome the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by Sultan Kiram, following the appeal of UN Sec Gen Ban Ki- Moon to end the violence and hostilities in Sabah. This is a most welcome development that will contribute to the de-escalation of tension in Sabah.

"I hope the Malaysian government will reciprocate, first, by approving our outstanding request for a safety corridor that will allow women and children that are caught in the stand off to return to the Philippines, and second, by also declaring a ceasefire.

"The government should build on these developments and find ways by which doors to a dialogue may be opened."