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⁨United by International Law: PH, Malaysia Reaffirm Commitment to Rules-Based Order in WPS

Writer: J. Salazar
J. Salazar
Sep 2
5 min read
Foreign Affairs Secretary Lazaro and Malaysian Foreign Minister Hasan discussed maritime rights and entitlements of coastal states near the islands of Palawan, Luzon, and Mindanao.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Lazaro and Malaysian Foreign Minister Hasan discussed maritime rights and entitlements of coastal states near the islands of Palawan, Luzon, and Mindanao.


MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Malaysia, both coastal states with overlapping maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea, reaffirmed their commitment to international law and the rules-based order as their foreign ministers convened in Manila on Tuesday for the 9th Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting. ¹ ² ³


Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan discussed continuing concerns over actions that infringe on the rights and maritime entitlements of coastal states, particularly in waters near the Philippine archipelago and the islands of Palawan, Luzon, and Mindanao. ¹ ² ³


Shared concerns over coercive actions


"We shared our perspectives on continuing concerns about illegal and coercive actions that infringe upon the rights and entitlements of coastal states, while at the same time underscoring the importance of self-restraint and adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS," Lazaro said during a joint press conference. ³


Hasan confirmed that the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea situation and negotiations for a Code of Conduct were among the regional issues discussed during the meeting. While neither minister named a specific country in their remarks, China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with maritime claims and entitlements of the Philippines, Malaysia, and other ASEAN states. ³


Chinese vessels have repeatedly used water cannons and carried out dangerous maneuvers against Philippine government vessels in the West Philippine Sea, the name Manila uses for portions of the South China Sea within its maritime jurisdiction near the islands of Luzon, Palawan, and Mindoro. ³


The 2016 South China Sea arbitral award ruled, among others, that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within sea areas falling inside its so-called nine-dash line beyond the maritime entitlements allowed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China, however, has rejected the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. ³


Code of Conduct negotiations


The Philippines and Malaysia welcomed what Lazaro described as positive progress in negotiations between ASEAN and China for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. ² ⁴ ⁵


"We likewise welcome the positive progress in the negotiations of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, including the positive contributions of Malaysia as co-chair of the negotiations along with China," Lazaro said. ³


Malaysia is the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations country coordinator from August 2024 to July 2027.


While negotiations continue, Lazaro stressed the need for parties to exercise self-restraint and adhere to UNCLOS. ³


"The Philippines urges all parties to maintain the momentum brought about by the monthly frequency of meetings and advance further the in-depth discussions on the remaining sensitive issues. We remain optimistic about the conclusion of the negotiations within the year," Lazaro said. ³ ⁵


Sabah claim and extended continental shelf


Separate from their overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea is the Philippines' longstanding claim to Sabah, which is administered by Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur rejects the Philippine claim. ³


Malaysia recently lodged another formal protest with the United Nations over the Philippines' submission of its extended continental shelf in the West Palawan Region. ⁶ ⁷


Malaysia said it filed its latest note verbale earlier in July, reiterating an earlier objection before the Philippines presented its case to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. ⁶ ⁷


Neither Lazaro nor Hasan mentioned Sabah in their remarks following Tuesday's meeting, though the issue remains a sensitive bilateral matter. ³


Defense and security cooperation


Beyond maritime issues, the two (2) foreign ministers discussed stronger defense and security cooperation, including growing ties between their armed forces. ¹ ² ⁸


They also highlighted the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement among the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which marked its 10th anniversary this year and has served as a security mechanism in their common areas of operation near the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea. ³


The two (2) sides also agreed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation against transnational crime and illegal drugs through capacity building, technology transfer, and expanded intelligence exchanges. ³


Labor and migrant worker protection


Lazaro and Hasan also discussed labor cooperation and ways to improve social protection for migrant workers, including Filipinos living and working in Malaysia. ¹ ²


The two (2) countries have been working to expand cooperation in trade and investment, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and food and energy security. ⁹ ¹⁰


Bangsamoro peace process and halal economy


Lazaro thanked Malaysia for its continuing role in advancing peace in Mindanao and supporting the Bangsamoro. ¹¹ ¹²


Malaysia, which has served as third-party facilitator in the Mindanao peace process, said it remains committed to supporting peace, stability, and inclusive development in the region. ¹¹ ¹²


Hasan said Kuala Lumpur is also prepared to share its expertise in the halal economy and Islamic finance to help the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. ¹²


"Malaysia is also ready to share its experience in areas such as the halal economy and Islamic finance to support the socio-economic development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM," Hasan said. ¹²


Economic integration and trade targets


Hasan stressed that Malaysia is prepared to work closely with the Philippines on broader economic integration and regional stability. ⁹ ¹⁰


"Malaysia stands ready to work closely with the Philippines in advancing intra-ASEAN trade and economic integration, strengthening the digital economy, enhancing food security and supply chain resilience, and promoting regional peace and stability," Hasan stated. ³ ¹⁰


The two (2) countries have set a target of reaching US$10 billion in bilateral trade within the next two (2) years, reflecting the positive momentum in their economic relations. ⁹ ¹⁰

____________________

Notes:


² Manilla Bulletin. Philippines, Malaysia deepen ties on security, economy; back South China Sea COC talks https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/18/philippines-malaysia-deepen-ties-on-security-economy-back-south-china-sea-coc-talks



⁴ Inquirer. PH hopeful SCS Code of Conduct issues may be resolved ... https://www.inquirer.net/485081/ph-hopeful-scs-code-of-conduct-issues-may-be-resolved-soon


⁵ Manilla Bulletin. Philippines optimistic South China Sea Code of Conduct ... https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/19/philippines-optimistic-south-china-sea-code-of-conduct-talks-will-conclude-in-2026


⁶ The Borneo Post. Sabah’s status, maritime interests must be defended through law, evidence, says Warisan man https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/08/28/sabahs-status-maritime-interests-must-be-defended-through-law-evidence-says-warisan-man




⁹ Phil Biz New. PH, Malaysia back BARMM polls, target $10-B trade https://thephilbiznews.com/2026/08/31/ph-malaysia-back-barmm-polls-target-10-b-trade


¹⁰ The Edge Malaysia. Malaysia eyes US$10 bil bilateral trade with Philippines ... https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/814898


¹¹ PNA. Malaysia conveys support to Mindanao peace process ahead BARMM polls https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282174


¹² Bernama. Malaysia Ready To Share Halal, Islamic Finance Expertise ... https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2595903⁩

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