Former Malacañang spokesman Salvador Panelo said former president Rodrigo Duterte has denied claims that he made a deal with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Panelo said this after another former Duterte spokesman, Harry Roque, claimed that Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a gentleman's agreement about the disputed waters.

According to Panelo, he called Duterte to clarify the situation when Roque brought it up.

"Twice over sabi niya (he said), 'I did not enter into any gentleman's agreement whatsoever, kaya kung sino man nagkakalat no'n, tanungin niyo ba't siya nagkakalat (so whoever is spreading this, as them why they are doing it)," he said.

"Hindi siya kasama (He wasn't there). He was never part of the cabinet when we went to China," he added.

Panelo said he talked to Duterte on Thursday night, April 4, to recall what went down during his meeting with Xi.

"Naalala ko, bandang huli, pinasok niya yung arbitral rulling. Sabi ni Presidente Duterte may arbitral ruling, ang gagawin ko, pupunta kami dyan (I remember when it was about to end, President Duterte raised the arbitral ruling)," he said.

"Nagulat kami sa reaksyon nung mama (Xi), sabi niya (We were surprised with Xi's reaction, he said), 'Do not force that, because if you force it there will be trouble,'" he added.

According to Panelo, who also served as Duterte's chief legal counsel, he has no problem appearing at the Senate should they pursue an investigation into Roque's claim about a supposed gentleman's agreement made during Duterte's time.

He, however, said he was unsure if Duterte would attend if summoned.

"Pag pinatawag ako, bakit naman hindi. Yun ang di ko alam (If they call me, then I don't see why I should not come. But for former president Duterte), he has to answer that," Panelo said.

"Basta ang sinasabi ni Presidente Duterte (What President Duterte is saying is), 'I did not enter into any gentleman’s agreement,'" he added.