Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque (MANILA BULLETIN)

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque must face a House investigation and bare all the agreements that former president Rodrigo Duterte made with China in connection with the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue. 

Thus, said Makabayan solon ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro as she castigated past Philippine officials for allegedly entering into deals that compromise the country’s sovereignty. 

"Nakakagalit na may mga dati tayong opisyales na ganito na halos ibenta na ang Pilipinas," the teacher-solon said in a statement on Holy Wednesday, March 27. 

(It's infuriating that we had officials who acted as if they will selling off the Philippines.) 

"Sumosobra na talaga ang Tsina sa ginagawang harassment na ito kaya naman din nananawagan kami sa House leadership na isalang na sa pagdinig ang House Resolution (HR) No.1216 para ipatawag si Atty. Roque at kung totoo nga na ipinagkasundo ni dating Pang. Duterte ang Ayungin Shoal at kung ano pang mga deals niya sa Tsina," said Castro. 

(China is going overboard with its harassment, as such we appeal to the House leadership to start the hearings on HR No.1216 and have Atty. Roque confirm whether or not President Duterte made a deal on Ayungin Shoal, as well as reveal other deals he made with China.) 

Earlier Wednesday, news outlets quoted Roque as saying that Duterte had a "gentleman's agreement" with China for the Philippines to not send more construction materials in the water still contested by Beijing to prevent tension from further escalating.

"Isa kasi ito sa mga ginagamit na dahilan ng Tsina para harasin ang mga Philippine vessels sa sarili nating exclusive economic zones (EEZ) kaya dapat na maungkat natin ito," noted Castro. 

(China has been using this as one of the reasons for harassing Philippine vessels in our own EEZ, that's why this must be discussed.) 

Roque served as Palace mouthpiece during the Duterte administration, which lasted from 2016 to 2022. 

Castro, a deputy minority leader in the House of Representatives, called for the conduct of an investigation on the matter amid the ongoing Lenten break. 

The lady solon had previously condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for again firing water cannons on a Philippine vessel en route to Ayungin Shoal for a Rotation and Resupply (RoRe) mission to for BRP Sierra Madre. A platoon of Filipino soldiers is stationed at BRP Sierra Madre. 

The water cannon attack caused “heavy damage” to the supply boat.

The full title of HR No.1216 reads, "Resolution directing the House of Representatives, through the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to investigate, in aid of legislation, the veracity of the alleged promise to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal as claimed by China." It was filed by the Makabayan bloc.