page_title: Malaysia–Philippines relations
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Malaysia–Philippines relations / History
caption_attribution_description: English: "丁磯嶷 Temquigui" - Couple from Terangganu, Malaysia - Boxer Codex (1590) Observed by the Colonial Spanish Authorities in Manila, Philippines around 1590 AD
context_page_description: Malaysia–Philippines relations refers to foreign relations between Malaysia and the Philippines. The Philippines has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Manila and a consulate general in Davao City. The people of the two neighbouring countries have a long history of cultural and political relations.
  They are both founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, both countries are of Malayo-Polynesian stock, and both are important trading partners. The two countries have participated in joint conservation and security measures in the Sulu Sea, which lies between the two countries.
  Malaysia has assisted in peacekeeping efforts in Mindanao, although in the past the attempt of President Ferdinand Marcos to retake eastern Sabah under the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu by forces through "Operation Merdeka" failed badly. Following the arrest of Nur Misuari in 2001, Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in a statement that they did not fund the insurgencies despite continuous conflicts until present. Both countries are now involved in the ongoing disputes over ownership of the Spratly Islands and parts of Sabah.
context_section_description: In 1959, shortly after Federation of Malaya, the predecessor state of Malaysia, became independent, the Philippines established a legation in Kuala Lumpur. Both countries are current members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Asian Union. In 1961, the Philippine legation was elevated into an embassy. On the same year, then Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia made a state visit to Malaya where he discussed the formation of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with then Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. The ASEAN was founded on 8 August 1967 by five Southeast Asian states including then Malaya and the Philippines.
  Together with the Indonesia, the two countries were also members of Maphilindo, a short-lived nonpolitical union formed during a summit in Manila from 31 July to 5 August 1963. The organisation was dismantled after one month, partly due to Indonesia's policy of Konfrontasi with Malaysia. The two countries co-operate closely in many areas.
caption: Malays from Terangganu in the Philippines, c. 1590 Boxer Codex
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