Robin Padilla calls for revival of PH’s claim over Sabah amid oil crisis

Senator Robin Padilla has urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to revive the Philippines’ claim over Sabah—a Malaysian state known to be rich in oil and gas—as prices of petroleum products continue to shoot up due to the Middle East crisis. 

In a Facebook Post, Padilla said the Philippine government should send emissaries to Malaysia to negotiate about territorial claims over Sabah.

“Mr. President, panahon na upang muling buhayin ang ating karapat-dapat na pag-angkin sa Sabah. Kailangan na nating kumilos at magpadala ng ating mga sugo. Ang North Borneo ay mayaman na sa yamang langis,” the senator said. 

(Mr. President, now is the time to revive our rightful claim to Sabah. We must act now and send our emissaries. North Borneo is already rich in oil resources.) 

Padilla also said that Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela should also showcase his patriotic zeal through the Sabah claim. 

Located on the island of Borneo south of Mindanao, Sabah has long been the subject of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and Malaysia.

Heirs of the Sultan of Sulu claim that the original Filipino sultan controlled the territory for centuries, but the United Nations in 1963 recognized Sabah as part of the Federation of Malaysia. 

Padilla, however, clarified that the matter should be settled through peaceful negotiations.

“Tama po—negosasyon hindi po pakikipag-away. Ang Malaysia po ay kaibigan natin at kapitbahay natin,” he said. 

(That’s right—we should have negotiations, not fighting. Malaysia is our friend and our neighbor.) 

“Ang lahat ng bagay ay may gitna na papabor lalong lalo na sa taga-Sabah. Kailangan lang pag-usapan na ito at dito ay may bumubulwak nang langis,” he added. 

(Everything has a middle ground that will be in favor, especially for the people of Sabah. We just need to talk about it as there is bountiful oil in the area.) 

GMA News Online reached out to Malacañang and will update this story once it responds. 

Earlier on Friday, Marcos said that the country has sufficient crude oil supply until June 30, 2026.

The President has already declared a state of national energy emergency amid the continuous increase in the prices of oil products. —AOL, GMA Integrated News