MANILA - Malacanang on Wednesday accused a daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of using an alleged fake photo to espouse their clan's claim amid the ongoing crisis in Sabah.

The Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS), in a press statement, said Jacel Kiram used a photo which she claimed showed Malaysian casualties.

However, the Palace said the photograph was not of Malaysian casualties in the Sabah crisis but of Thai military casualties in a 2007 incident that had nothing to do with the incident in Sabah.

"Ms. Kiram's attempted deception goes beyond grandstanding and strays into the realm of incendiary, irresponsible action. It has called into question the credibility of Jamalul Kiram III's branch of the family and their deadly misadventure," the Palace added.

Malacañang then asked if the Kirams' other claims are fake. "We must all now wonder: what other assertions made by the Kiram party are false?"

The Palace said the alleged fake photo desecrates those affected by the standoff in Sabah and Malaysian soldiers who have died in the fighting.

"Once more, we counsel all concerned, to bear in mind the need to uphold the interest of the greater number of Filipinos, who are placed at risk by this kind of disregard for facts and the truth," the OPS said.