Asia 925
Date(s): April 3, 1968 to September 18, 1968
Participants: 820 Malaysia/840 Philippines
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Both the Philippines and Malaysia laid claim to Sabah, a resource rich
region in northern Borneo. The claim was first initiated by the Filipinos and resulted
in a few incidents, including the vandalism and siege of the Filipino embassy by
Malaysian students (for which Malaysia did apologize).
The dispute became militarized when Malaysia put its forces on alert on April 4,
- The Philippines then sent ships to the area in September, and Malaysia threat-
ened force as a response.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from April 4, 1968. End Date changed from
December 13, 1968. Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#3022
Dispute Number: 3022
Date(s): November 16, 1979 to November 19, 1979
Participants: 840 Philippines/820 Malaysia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Both Malaysia and the Philippines were engaged in anti-pirating efforts
in their respective waters. Philippine naval vessels violated Malaysian waters as part
of those efforts, and Malaysia responded by sending six of their own naval vessels to
the area. Cooperation was difficult between the two states because each suspected the
other of supporting rebels who often posed as pirate groups.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from November 15, 1979.
MID#3117
Dispute Number: 3117
Date(s): May 30, 1980 to November 2, 1980
Participants: 820 Malaysia/840 Philippines
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On June 3, 1980, the Philippines sent a note to Malaysia, protesting a
marker with a Malaysian flag on it in the Commodore Reef. Malaysian helicopters
and “landing ship tankers” were also spotted in the area. The Philippine Minister of
Defense stated that they were prepared to defend their interests. On November 2,
the Philippines stated that the Muslim rebel forces had laid down their arms. This
occurred after the Philippines dropped the claim to Malaysian Sabah, which had
fueled the insurgency. Philippine officials expressed desire to come to a border agree-
ment with Malaysia like the existing agreement with Indonesia.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from June 2, 1980.