Lawmaker hints at reviving Philippines claim over Sabah

MANILA, Philippines — A member of the House of Representatives yesterday hinted at the possibility of reviving the country’s claim over Sabah after the government of Malaysia protested the signing into law of two measures that set the Philippines’ maritime boundaries.

“Malaysia has no basis for the protest because the reference materials are not part of the two laws. The laws are to be taken in their import and the meaning of their provisions. They do not mention our country’s claim to Sabah,” Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said, referring to Republic Act 12064 and RA 12065.

Rodriguez, chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments, said Kuala Lumpur’s protest over Manila’s two new maritime laws has “no basis.”

He said it would be better to revive the Sabah claim if Malaysia pursues its protest.

“If Malaysia protests our new maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes laws, I suggest the Philippine government revive our claim to Sabah, which rightfully belongs to the Philippines by historic right or legal title,” Rodriguez said.

He said the Malaysians’ complaint was based on some reference materials used in crafting the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, and which supposedly restated the Philippines’ claim over Sabah.

Malaysia used to pay annual rent for Sabah to the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu, Rodriguez said.

He said the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law only pertain to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, starting at 200 nautical miles from the country’s baselines, which do not include Sabah.

“Our new maritime laws strictly pertain to the seas surrounding the Philippine archipelago. They do not deal with land territories like Sabah,” Rodriguez said.

He said the signing by President Marcos of the laws on Nov. 15 was in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Their enactment sends a strong signal to our neighbors and the world of our resolve to defend what is ours under international law, and to preserve and exploit resources within our exclusive economic zone for the benefit of all Filipinos,” Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the newly signed laws emphasized the importance of the Philippine maritime and archipelagic identity.

“With these pieces of legislation, we align our domestic laws with international law, specifically the UNCLOS, to improve our capacity for governance and reinforce our maritime policies for economic development and for national security,” Marcos said.