Phl may ask higher compensation for Sabah from Malaysia

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines may seek additional compensation from Malaysia for Sabah, a Malaysian-controlled territory.

President Benigno Aquino III said today that this was one of the "avenues" being studied in relation to the Sabah claim by the Philippine government.

At least four options had been submitted by the Department of Justice, but no final decision had been made, Aquino said.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was exploring on four potential avenues and one of them was higher compensation, he said.

"Unfortunately, all three of them (potential avenues) are non- starters," Aquino said without elaborating.

The President in March ordered the review of the territorial claim to Sabah after armed followers of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III went to Lahud Datu in Sabah in February that resulted in a deadly clash with Malaysian police and army.

Kiram died Sunday of multiple organ failure. He reportedly asked his family to reclaim Sabah before he passed away.