Duterte ‘prepared to discuss’ Sabah claims with Malaysian PM

President Rodrigo Duterte. AP

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—President Rodrigo Duterte is “prepared to discuss” the Philippines’ sovereign claims over Sabah if the issue is raised during his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Najib Razak.

“It may or it may not be raised. But, in any case, if it is raised by either side, I’m sure our President will be prepared to discuss this issue,” Foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said in a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the Philippine embassy here, Philippine ambassador to Malaysia Jose Eduardo Malaya III echoed Jose’s statement.

“I guess I will go along with what DFA spokesman Charles Jose had said and he said that we aren’t sure if the issue of Sabah will be raised or not but if it will be raised, the President will be prepared to address the issue,” Malaya said.

Duterte is set to arrive here on Wednesday afternoon for a two-day official visit after a stopover in Thailand.

READ: Duterte starts 2-day official visit to Malaysia; will have stopover in Thailand

Among the President’s top agenda in his visit include Malaysia’s participation in the government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), security issues in the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, counter-terrorism and the Philippines chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017. CDG

READ: Duterte off to KL today; Abu Sayyaf tops agenda