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Lagman agrees with Marcos: Duterte's 'gentleman's agreement' with China a big no-no

Philippines | National

Lagman agrees with Marcos: Duterte's 'gentleman's agreement' with China a big no-no

By Ellson Quismorio

At A Glance

President Marcos' take on former president Rodrigo Duterte's "gentlemen's agreement" with China on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is right on the money as far as independent minority solon Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman is concerned.

Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook, Malacañang photo)

President Marcos' take on former president Rodrigo Duterte's "gentlemen’s agreement” with China on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is right on the money as far as independent minority solon Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman is concerned.

"There can be no 'gentlemen’s agreement' with a chronic aggressor like China in the [WPS]," Lagman said in a statement Wednesday, April 10.

"I agree with President Marcos Jr. that former President Duterte’s unilateral and surreptitious agreement with China’s principal official is a grave mistake and indeed compromises Philippine sovereignty," added the Liberal Party (LP) president.

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The Bicolano was reports that Duterte had a "gentleman's agreement" with China for the Philippines to not send more construction materials in the WPS, whch is still being contested by Beijing, to prevent tension from further escalating in the region.

"This has no binding effect," underscored Lagman, who was a critic of Duterte when he was still in Malacañang.

Duterte, who was the president from 2016 to 2022, was known for his friendly stance toward regional power China. President Marcos is his direct successor.

Related Tags

Edcel Lagman Rodrigo Duterte West Philippine Sea President Marcos

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