Filipino Senator Robin Padilla has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to revive the country’s claim over Sabah, an oil-rich region located on the island of Borneo.
In a Facebook statement on Wednesday (25 March), Padilla said it was time for Manila to take firm action to “assert its rights,” which he claims belong to the Philippines, including sending official representatives to the area.
“Mr. President, now is the time for us to revive our legitimate claim over Sabah.
“We must act and dispatch envoys. North Borneo is already rich in oil resources,” he said.
He also suggested deploying Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela and his team to strengthen the claim. According to Padilla, the team’s patriotic spirit should be directed toward Sabah through a consistent presence, “whether the tide is low or high.”
Sabah is currently part of Malaysia, although the Philippines continues to assert its claim.
National energy emergency declared
In a related development, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously declared a national energy emergency following rising fuel prices driven by conflict in West Asia. He also ordered the implementation of large-scale measures to safeguard jobs, food supplies, livelihoods, the transport sector, and key industries amid concerns that the crisis could disrupt the country’s energy supply.
Padilla’s statement frames the Sabah issue in both religious and diplomatic terms, calling for mutual respect rather than escalation. While he maintains the Philippines’ position, his appeal to resolve the matter “in an Islamic manner” suggests a preference for peaceful dialogue grounded in shared values.
However, such remarks may still draw criticism, as territorial disputes are typically addressed through international law and bilateral negotiations rather than religious frameworks, especially in a complex, longstanding geopolitical issue like Sabah.
“Greetings of love, my brothers and sisters. I have no intention of stopping your claim on Sabah. God willing, you should also not stop our claim,” he said in a Facebook post.
What do you think of Robin’s take?
