Yet to be sworn in as the new Philippine's president, Rodrigo Duterte has shown how his foreign policy would be like by avowing his renewed pledge to claim Spratlys and Sabah from Malaysia.
So hostile that even some Filipinos and regional leaders were taken aback with such a character, especially from someone who talks much about peace and engagement.
According to reports, Duterte has vowed to pursue the Philippines’ claim to Sabah, by recognising what the sultanate of Sulu had done - infiltrate Sabah by force!
“Yes. What has been the policy will always be the policy of the government, especially those for the interests of the country. We have to stake our claim.”
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The Sulu sultanate used to rule over parts of southern Philippines and Sabah. In 1963, the British government transferred Sabah to the Federation of Malaysia, the report said.
Wisma Putra has issued a strong statement not to recognise such claims, and that Duterte should go by international laws recognising Sabah as part of Malaysia.
Sabah chief minister Musa Aman also said Sabah does not acknowledge any claim by the Philippines on the state and will maintain the stand.
He said Sabah has never recognised or acknowledged any such claim and will continue to be a part of the Malaysian federation.
“Let me clearly state that Sabah is in Malaysia and has chosen to be and will continue to be a part of this sovereign nation since its formation,” he said in a statement Friday in response to Philippines incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s intention to pursue the Sabah claim.
Musa added that the people of Sabah are enjoying peace, stability and economic prosperity within Malaysia.
“Our allegiance is to the Malaysian flag. The claim is irrelevant,” he added.
I think we should take another look at our relation with Manila. Let Duterte do whatever he wants and we should put all trust in our security forces to safeguard our sovereignty from any intruders.
Duterte is not our friend... he is just another 'lanun!'
So hostile that even some Filipinos and regional leaders were taken aback with such a character, especially from someone who talks much about peace and engagement.
According to reports, Duterte has vowed to pursue the Philippines’ claim to Sabah, by recognising what the sultanate of Sulu had done - infiltrate Sabah by force!
“Yes. What has been the policy will always be the policy of the government, especially those for the interests of the country. We have to stake our claim.”
The Sulu sultanate used to rule over parts of southern Philippines and Sabah. In 1963, the British government transferred Sabah to the Federation of Malaysia, the report said.
Wisma Putra has issued a strong statement not to recognise such claims, and that Duterte should go by international laws recognising Sabah as part of Malaysia.
Sabah chief minister Musa Aman also said Sabah does not acknowledge any claim by the Philippines on the state and will maintain the stand.
He said Sabah has never recognised or acknowledged any such claim and will continue to be a part of the Malaysian federation.
“Let me clearly state that Sabah is in Malaysia and has chosen to be and will continue to be a part of this sovereign nation since its formation,” he said in a statement Friday in response to Philippines incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s intention to pursue the Sabah claim.
Musa added that the people of Sabah are enjoying peace, stability and economic prosperity within Malaysia.
“Our allegiance is to the Malaysian flag. The claim is irrelevant,” he added.
I think we should take another look at our relation with Manila. Let Duterte do whatever he wants and we should put all trust in our security forces to safeguard our sovereignty from any intruders.
Duterte is not our friend... he is just another 'lanun!'