PH to deal with Pamatong over ‘Malaysia flag burning’

MANILA -- The Philippine government is currently looking into lawyer Ely Pamatong’s act of burning the Malaysian flag, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said Friday.

This came after the Malaysian government sought corrective action from Manila regarding the matter.

“Philippine government authorities in Manila are currently looking into the matter and shall deal with it accordingly. The Embassy does not condone the incident and deeply regrets that the incident has offended the feelings of Malaysians,” Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose said in a statement.

The Embassy said Pamatong “is known to have done many controversial things” in the past and that his actions do not represent the official position of the Philippines.

It reiterated that the Philippines is “firmly committed to the development of the excellent bilateral relations between the Philippines and Malaysia.”

In a video posted on the Facebook page “President Pamatong Supporters”, Pamatong, was seen burning a Malaysian flag

while denouncing its “continuing invasion of the State of Sabah.”

On Friday, Kuala Lumpur condemned and described as “extremely controversial” Pamatong’s act.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry called for a “stern action” against him and to ensure that such incident does not recur to avoid potentially tarnishing ties between the two nations.

“Malaysia strongly condemns such act and views the burning of the Malaysian flag as a serious incident. The flag is a sacred national symbol and should be treated with respect,” its statement reads.

“Such actions and antiMalaysia comments made by this individual are offensive and the accusations made are baseless,” it added.

Pamatong, who describes himself as the leader of the United States Allied Freedom Fighters of the East, earned notoriety for scattering hundreds of steel spikes along major roads in Metro Manila in 2004.

He was suspended from practicing law by the Supreme Court in 2016 for “slanderous” language against a judge whom he accused of corruption.