Malacañang assured the public that the government will safeguard the Philippines’ national interests in any potential joint oil and gas exploration with China, even amid the country’s current energy challenges.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro emphasized that the administration will not surrender Philippine rights or resources in any discussions.
“Lagi naman, kung ano ang nararapat sa atin at kung anong karapatan natin, ‘yan naman ang ipinaglalaban ng Pangulo at ng administrayon na ito,” said Castro.
“So, walang mawawala. Walang mawawalang interes, walang ipamimigay na interes. Basta tayo laging sincere, walang secret deal,” she added.
The statement follows recent disclosures by the China Embassy in Manila that talks between the two countries on possible joint exploration in the South China Sea have made “positive progress.” The embassy said both sides held “in-depth discussions” on joint development in the disputed waters.
“Setting aside differences and pursuing joint development is the right path to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea and deliver benefits to countries in the region and their peoples,” the Chinese embassy said.
According to the Department of Energy, the West Philippine Sea may hold over six million barrels of oil and more than seven billion cubic feet of natural gas in undiscovered resources. Areas believed to be rich in natural gas include Recto Bank, or Reed Bank, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
China continues to assert broad claims over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the West Philippine Sea, despite the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected these claims.
