THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said oil and gas exploration talks in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and China will start next month.
“In light of the joint statement issued during the President’s state visit to Beijing last January 5, on the agreement to “resume discussions on oil and gas exploration development at an early date” the Philippines and China will meet for preparatory talks in Beijing sometime in May,” a statement issued by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.
“The meeting will discuss parameters and terms of reference” regarding the maritime exploration,” he added.
Manalo said it was China which proposed to begin talks on the matter and the Philippines agreed to it.
He also said the Philippine position would always be guided by the 1987 Constitution.
Sen. Francis Tolentino on Sunday asked the DFA to be more cautious about the proposed talks on oil and gas exploration, saying it could lead to increased Chinese activities and presence in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea. Tolentino also said the Senate should be involved in the discussion as this may be an extension of the country’s foreign policy.
Manalo assured Tolentino that “updates would be provided on this matter.”
In 2018, Manila and Beijing inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the creation of an intergovernmental joint steering committee to look into possible energy cooperation.
The MOU also provides for the establishment of a working group from each country that will consist of representatives from enterprises authorized by the two governments.
However, during the last months of the Duterte administration, Manila ordered the termination of the discussions with Beijing due to constitutional constraints and issues related to the country’s sovereignty.
