President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday urged the next administration to honor the Philippines’ commitment to the proposed joint oil exploration with China in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s claims in Taiwan, Duterte said there are already “so many flashpoints” around the world that he did not want the Philippines to be involved in any conflict.
“‘Yan ang iniiwasan ko noon pa e. Tapos magkagiyera tuloy tayo dito, nandoon sa Ukraine, nandiyan yung Taiwan gusto agawin ulit ng China tapos dito (That is what I am avoiding since before. If we have a war here…there’s one in Ukraine, there’s Taiwan that China wants to get
back). So many flashpoints…maraming lugar na may putok (so many places
with wars). We do not need it. Di natin kailangan makipag-away diyan (We don’t need to fight with anyone),” he said in a prerecorded Talk to the People.
Duterte said failing to abide by commitments to jointly explore energy resources in the disputed sea would spell trouble for the country.
“Sundin lang ninyo kung ano yung pinag-usapan noon (Just follow what was discussed before). It’s a matter of honor…Consensual talks tapos may (and a) written agreement. Pag iniba ‘yan delikado (If you change it, it’s dangerous),” he added.
He said although the Philippines and China may not be able to have a peaceful resolution to the sea row during his administration, what mattered now is to remain calm amid the crisis.
There are presently no agreements reached between the Philippines and China when it comes to joint exploration activities for oil and gas at the diplomatically strained sea.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on joint oil and gas development in the WPS in November 2018.
Philippine and Chinese officials are still in the process of fleshing out possible details of any joint exploration venture.
The French Navy meanwhile expressed willingness to work with its Philippine counterparts at sea.
“We are ready to work with your forces at sea. We need to protect, we need to defend the freedom of navigation including (on) the West Philippine Sea,” said Rear Adm. Jean-Mathieu Rey, Joint Commander of the French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific (ALPACI), during his courtesy call on Philippine Navy (PN) chief, Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado, on Monday.
PN spokesperson Commaner Benjo Negranza, in a statement, said Rey’s visit is in line with the scheduled March 8 to 11 port call of French surveillance frigate Vendémiaire (F-734) to the country.
The port call is part of the French Navy’s deployment in Asia to contribute to regional stability, promote international rule of law, and develop cooperation among Asian countries.
Among the highlights of the visit were talks on maritime security, protection of natural resources at sea, and possible future exercise engagements, which Rey believes to be “good opportunities to improve the Philippine and French navies’ knowledge and interoperability.”
Rey also expressed the French Navy’s intention to increase the level of cooperation with the PN, particularly with the scheduled deployment of their amphibious and training task force in 2023.