MANILA — The House of Representatives initiated an investigation on Monday (20 May 2024) into the alleged “gentleman’s agreement” between former President Rodrigo Duterte and China concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of National Defense (DND), National Security Council (NSC), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) attended the probe, which was conducted jointly by the Committee on National Defense and Security and the Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA asserted it had no record of any such agreement concerning Ayungin Shoal. “The Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, including Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA stated.
Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga confirmed that the DND is “not privy to any gentleman’s agreement with China” and has no documentation of such a deal.
NSC Deputy Director General Nestor Herico emphasized that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año “will not support any agreement that compromises the country’s national security and interests.”
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan also noted that the PCG was unaware of any alleged agreement. “The Philippine Coast Guard will follow directives issued by President Bongbong Marcos Jr.,” he added.
Former PCG Commandant Joel Garcia, who served from December 2016 to January 2018, denied any knowledge of such an agreement during his tenure. “We have not heard of any gentleman’s agreement between the two presidents; otherwise, it would have been communicated to us,” he told lawmakers.
Former President Duterte had admitted to an understanding with China’s President Xi Jinping to maintain the status quo in the WPS, involving the non-transport of maintenance or repair materials for the BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the country’s outpost on Ayungin Shoal.
(el Amigo/mnm)
