MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan has called on the Duterte administration to be very cautious in drafting the final agreements of the joint oil and gas exploration deal with China in the West Philippine Sea, the details of which should be made public.
In a statement Monday, Pangilinan urged the executive department to submit a report on the oil exploration agreements to the Senate.
The Philippines and China have agreed to form groups that will finalize agreements on joint oil and gas exploration in specific areas in the West Philippine Sea.
This was one of the products of President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth visit to China last week.
READ: PH envoy: Joint oil exploration deal to follow PH, China laws
READ: Duterte wants to hasten MOU implementation for joint South China Sea development
“Teritoryo natin ito at likas-yaman natin ito. Karapatan nating mga Pilipino na malaman ang mga detalye nito (This is our territory and natural resources. It is the right of the Filipino people to be furnished details),” Pangilinan said.
“Kailangan alam ng taumbayan ang laman ng kasunduan. Sila ang maghuhusga kung makakabuti sa atin o madedehado tayo rito,” he added.
Pangilinan likewise called on the executive department not to sign any agreement with China that would diminish the Philippines’ exclusive right to explore, develop, and use its natural resources.
“Tandaan, kampi sa atin ang UNCLOS at ang pasya ng Permanent Court of Arbitration na kinilala ang sovereign rights ng Pilipinas sa pangingisda at paggagalugad ng yaman sa West Philippine Sea,” Pangilinan said.
The Philippines and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year for the joint oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte earlier said that a 60-40 sharing scheme in the exploration agreement would be acceptable to him.
READ: Duterte OK with 60-40 split in PH’s favor
The MOU was signed amid China’s refusal to budge from its claim of ownership over the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The international arbitral tribunal had invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claim in July 2016. /gsg