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Palace on joint exploration with China on WPS: We will study

Philippines | National

Palace on joint exploration with China on WPS: We will study

By Betheena Unite

Malacañang has yet to make a stand on the joint oil and gas exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea, saying they will have to study it first.

West Philippine Sea (FILE PHOTO FROM AFP)

"Pag-aaralan po natin sa ngayon (We will study it for now)," Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a press briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

It was Angeles' response when sought for reaction on the remark of Chinese Minister Liu Jianchao, who expressed hopes that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would consider the joint exploration.

The Press Secretary further said that matters on foreign relations must be handled with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), "especially those involving contracts."

Liu, a former Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, said he hopes "the discussion will continue and both sides will demonstrate some kind of flexibility" so that cooperation could happen.

The Philippines and China are in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea believed to be rich in oil and other energy resources.

Marcos during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) made a pronouncement that he will not surrender even an inch of the country's territory under his watch.

He, however, has not indicated his stand on the joint exploration.

Before ending his term, former president Rodrigo Duterte ordered the termination of oil and gas discussions with China in the West Philippine Sea.

The joint exploration talks were carried out for three years but the country’s objective to develop oil and gas resources have not been achieved despite both sides trying to “go as far as we could,” then DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said.

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