(Eagle News) — The Palace on Thursday, March 7, maintained the Philippines has a claim over Sabah.
“The position of the President…meron tayong claim. Totoo naman na may claim tayo di ba. That has been a bone of contention ever since time pa ata ni Presidente [Ferdinand] Marcos,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
Panelo issued the statement after Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad said the Philippines had “no claim” over the disputed territory in a television interview.
Panelo added, however, that the Sabah issue was not in the agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte’s and Mahathir’s closed-door meeting in Malacanang on Thursday, March 7.
During the meeting, both leaders said they discussed the South China Sea, and it was agreed there should be freedom of navigation and overflight there.
China, the Philippines, Malaysia and several other governments are embroiled in disputes over claims in the sea.
Other topics discussed were education, security and the economy.
Mahathir is on a two-day official visit to the Philippines.