Philippines: 28 March 2026 — A Model United Nations Affairs Coordinator for Diplobate has rejected a senator call to revive the Filipine claim over Sabah.
Mar Gentallan said he, along with fellow Filipine members of Diplobate, does not agree with the approach taken by Robin Padilla, who previously urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reactivate the claim.
He said such a move contradicts the principles of rules-based diplomacy in Southeast Asia, which emphasize dialogue, restraint and mutual respect in managing disputes.
According to him, the claim disregards the lived realities of Sabahans and fails to respect relations with the people of Malaysia.
He added that such actions risk heightening tensions in a region that depends on stability for economic activity and public well-being.
At the same time, he described the issue as a distraction from domestic pressures faced by Filipine citizens, including rising fuel costs and transportation uncertainty.
“The public deserves solutions, not rhetoric. Domestic issues cannot be addressed by creating external disputes,” he said.
He stressed that disputes should be handled through law, negotiation and mutual respect, while urging leaders to focus on more pressing domestic concerns.
Previously, Padilla had proposed that the government take firmer steps, including sending representatives to the area, to assert its claim over Sabah, which is currently under the administration of Malaysia.
