ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (Facebook)

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro has reiterated the need for Filipinos to know the full details of the alleged secret deal between China and the previous Duterte government following reports that the current Marcos administration enforced it during its first year. 

"It's outrageous that the Duterte administration would even consider making a deal that compromises our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And now, China is saying that the Marcos Jr. administration is aware of this deal and has even implemented it during its first year in office," Castro said in a statement Monday, May 6. 

The House deputy minority leader was referring to the supposed deal on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which had usually been called a "gentleman's agreement". 

Whatever is it about, several of Castro's colleagues in the House of Representatives--even those from the majority--have said that such agreement isn't binding since it didn't go through the lawful process. 

The Makabayan solon described the secret deal between China and the Duterte administration on the WPS as a "betrayal of national interest" and a "sell-out" of the country's sovereignty. 

"The Filipino people have the right to know the truth about this alleged agreement. What did the Duterte administration agree to? What concessions did he make to China? The people deserve transparency and accountability from their government," Castro said. 

The supposed deal, which China claims was made in 2016 or right at the start of Duterte's tenure, allegedly involves an agreement to "exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability" in the WPS. However, the details of the agreement remain unclear, and the Philippine government has not confirmed its existence. 

President Marcos took over Malacañang in June 2022. Duterte and some of his allies have since become Marcos critics. 

"The Filipino people will not stand idly by while our government sells out our national interest to foreign powers. We demand transparency and accountability from our government, and we will continue to fight for our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Castro said.