Amid efforts to firmly assert its rights over Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea, Senator Robin Padilla stressed the Philippine officialdom must do the same for Sabah. Taking the floor at the Senate session Tuesday, Padilla reminded in his interpellation of the bill on the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act that Sabah has many natural resources that can be used by Filipinos, especially those in Muslim Mindanao. “We must fight for our rights in Sabah. We are talking not of small islands but of a large land mass with oil and minerals that we Filipinos have rights to. If we can assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea, so must we do the same but in a peaceful manner,” the senator stressed.

Fernandez, B. (2024, February 1). Sen. Robin asserts PHL rights over Sabah anew. Business Mirror, p. A3.