Modern History Sourcebook:
The Manila Accord, July 31, 1963
The Governments of the Federation of Malaya, the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic
of the Philippines, prompted by their keen and common desire to have a general exchange of
views on current problems concerning stability, security, economic development and social
progress of the three countries and of the region and upon the initiative of President
Diosdado Macapagal, agreed that a Conference of Ministers of the three countries be held
in Manila on 7th June 1963 for the purpose of achieving common understanding and close
fraternal cooperation among themselves. Accordingly, Tun Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime
Minister of the Federation of Malaya; Dr. Subandrio, Deputy First Minister/Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; and Honorable Emmanuel Pelaez, Vice
President of the Philippines and concurrently Secretary of Foreign Affairs, met in Manila
from 7 to 11 June 1963.2. The deliberations were held in a frank manner and in a most cordial atmosphere in
keeping with the spirit of friendship prevailing in the various meetings held between
President Sukarno of the Republic of Indonesia, and Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman
Putra of the Federation of Malaya, and President Diosdado Macapagal. This Ministerial
Conference was a manifestation of the determination of the nations in this region to
achieve closer cooperation in their endeavour to chart their common future.3. The Ministers were of one mind that the three countries share a primary
responsibility for the maintenance of the stability and security of the area from
subversion in any form or manifestation in order to preserve their respective national
identities, and to ensure the peaceful development of their respective countries and of
their region, in accordance with the ideals and aspirations of their peoples.4. In the same spirit of common and constructive endeavour, they exchanged views on the
proposed Confederation of nations of Malay origin, the proposed Federation of Malaysia,
the Philippine claim to North Borneo and related problems.THE MACAPAGAL PLAN5. Recognising that it is in the common interest of their countries to maintain
fraternal relations and to strengthen co-operation among their peoples who are bound
together by ties of race and culture, the three Ministers agreed to intensify the joint
and individual efforts of their countries to secure lasting peace, progress and prosperity
for themselves and for their neighbours.6. In this context, the three Ministers supported President Macapagal's plan envisaging
the grouping of the three nations of Malay origin working together in closest harmony but
without surrendering any portion of their sovereignty. This calls for the establishment of
the necessary common organs.7. The three Ministers agreed to take the initial steps towards this ultimate aim by,
establishing machinery for frequent and regular consultations. The details of such
machinery will be further defined. This machinery. will enable the three governments to
hold regular consultations at all levels to deal with matters of mutual interest and
concern consistent with the national, regional and international responsibilities or
obligations of each country without prejudice to its sovereignty and independence. The
Ministers agreed that their countries will endeavour to achieve close understanding and
cooperation in dealing with common problems relating to security, stability, economic,
social and cultural development.8. In order to accelerate the process of growth towards the ultimate establishment of
President Macapagal's plan, the Ministers agreed that each country shall set up its own
National Secretariat. Pending the establishment of a Central Secretariat for the
consultative machinery, the National Secretaries should coordinate and cooperate with each
other in the fulfillment of their tasks.9. The Ministers further agreed to recommend that Heads of Government and Foreign
Ministers meet at least once a year for the purpose of consultations on matters of
importance and common concern.MALAYSIA AND NORTH BORNEO10. The Ministers reaffirmed their countries' adherence to the principle of
self-determination for the peoples of non-self-governing territories. In this context,
Indonesia and the Philippines stated that they would welcome the formation of Malaysia
provided the support of the people of the Borneo territories is ascertained by an
independent and impartial authority, the Secretary-General of the United Nations or his
representative.11. The Federation of Malaya expressed appreciation for this attitude of Indonesia and
the Philippines and undertook to consult the British Government and the Governments of the
Borneo territories with a view to inviting the Secretary-General of the United Nations or
his representative to take the necessary steps in order to ascertain the wishes of the
people of those territories,12. The Philippines made it clear that its position on the inclusion of North Borneo in
the Federation of Malaysia is subject to the final outcome of the Philippine claim to
North Borneo. The Ministers took note of the Philippine claim and the right of the
Philippines to continue to pursue it in accordance with international law and the
principle of the pacific settlement of disputes. They agreed that the inclusion of North
Borneo in the Federation of Malaysia would not prejudice either the claim or any right
thereunder. Moreover, in the context of their close association, the three countries
agreed to exert their best endeavours to bring the claim to a just and expeditious
solution by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration, or judicial
settlement as well as other peaceful means of the parties' own choice, in conformity with
the Charter of the United Nations and the Bandung Declaration.13. In particular, considering the close historical ties between the peoples of the
Philippines and North Borneo as well as their geographical propinquity, the Ministers
agreed that in the event of North Borneo joining the proposed Federation of Malaysia the
Government of the latter and the Government of the Philippines should maintain and promote
the harmony and the friendly relations subsisting in their region to ensure the security
and stability of the area.MEETING OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT14. The Ministers agreed to recommend that a Meeting of their respective heads of
Government be held in Manila not later than the end of July 1963. 15. The Ministers
expressed satisfaction over the atmosphere of brotherliness and cordiality which pervaded
their Meeting and considered it as a confirmation of their close fraternal ties and as a
happpy augury for the success of future consultations among their leaders.16. The Ministers agreed to place on record their profound appreciation of and
gratitude for the statesmanlike efforts of President Macapagal whose courage, vision and
inspiration not only facilitated the holding of this historic Meeting but also contributed
towards the achievement for the first time of a unity of purpose and a sense of common
dedication among the peoples of Malava, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Source:Text made available through the Embassy of the Philippines, Washington, D.C.
This text is part of the Internet
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© Paul Halsall, July 1998
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