MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday gave a firm assurance that the Philippines will not surrender any sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea as exploratory talks with China on joint oil and gas development cautiously resume, amid persistent maritime tensions between the two countries.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that while the government remains open to dialogue, any engagement with Beijing will be anchored on protecting national interest and territorial rights.
“Lagi naman tayong magiging sincere sa mga pag-uusap kung meron man at lagi tayong magiging maingat para sa interes ng bayan at para sa interes ng bawat Pilipino,” Castro said.
She underscored that negotiations will not come at the expense of Philippine sovereignty, declaring: “Walang mawawalang interes, walang ipamimigay na interes.”
The assurance came after Philippine and Chinese officials met in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province on March 27 and 28 for the 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations and the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, both sides reported progress on practical measures, including initial exchanges on potential cooperation in oil and gas development.
Despite these developments, tensions between Manila and Beijing persist, with the Philippines continuing to lodge protests over China’s presence and activities within its exclusive economic zone.
Efforts to pursue joint exploration were previously shelved in 2022 under then-president Rodrigo Duterte. Talks have recently resurfaced, though President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has acknowledged the complexities of reviving such arrangements amid ongoing territorial disputes./PN
