MANILA – Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed gentleman’s agreement with the Chinese government regarding the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea has horrified President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
According to Marcos, the supposed agreement of his predecessor is hard to honor since that would mean the Philippines has to seek permission with China before making a move “in our territory.”
“Ang sinasabi sa agreement na ‘yan ay kinakailangan tayong magpermiso sa ibang bansa para gumalaw sa ating sariling teritoryo. Mahirap siguro sundan ‘yang ganyang klaseng agreement,” Marcos said.
He added: “I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised into a secret agreement the territory, the sovereign rights of the Filipino.
Marcos hoped for a clarification with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.
According to the Chief Executive, his administration has tried to reach out to the Cabinet of the former President, but they could not get a clear answer from them regarding the said deal.
“It turns out it’s a secret agreement. We don’t know anything about it. There is no documentation, no record, there is no… We were not briefed. When I came into office, wala pong nagsabi sa amin na may ganoong usapan.”
“(My administration) is talking to his former officials. Maybe not the President himself but his former officials. Tinatanong namin, ano ba ‘yan? Paliwanag niyo naman sa amin para alam namin ‘yung ginagawa namin,” he added.
The supposed gentleman’s agreement was first revealed by former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque but its existence was denied by Atty. Salvador Panelo, the chief presidential legal counsel during the Duterte administration.
“I was present in the state visit made by FPRRD in China as well as in the dialogue between the Chinese President and FPRRD. No such agreement was made between the two,” Panelo said.
“(Duterte) will never enter into any agreement that is against our national interest, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Panelo added. “People should be wary of spreaders of false news and bogus narratives.”/PN
