PHL denies Sabah trade-off with Malaysia

DFA spokesperson Charles Jose (YouTube screenshot)

MANILA — The Philippine government on Monday belied reports that it has proposed to drop its claim on Sabah in exchange for Malaysia’s support on its arbitration case against China.

A report over the weekend was quoting a Philippine diplomatic note to Malaysia, saying the country is reviewing a 2009 protest on Kuala Lumpur’s Sabah claim if it will back Manila’s case.

Both nations are contesting ownership of Sabah.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose confirmed the existence of the note but said its content is all about the “features in the South China Sea and their implications in the extended continental shelf claims.”

“Sabah is not in any way part of the note,” Jose said.

“The Philippines has excellent relations with Malaysia.

In the context of our friendly bilateral relations, our two countries have been for years exchanging ways on how to address the issue of extended continental shelf in the South China Sea,” he added.