The Stratbase Institute has urged the Marcos administration to strongly reconsider plans for a joint energy exploration deal between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, saying Beijing has “repeatedly demonstrated that it is neither a reliable partner nor a responsible actor.”
The local think tank warned that engaging nations that have “consistently acted in bad faith is not only unnecessary but ultimately detrimental to the Philippines’ long term national interest.”
“A state that persistently disregards international law and violates Philippine sovereign rights cannot be expected to honor any agreement. Entering into such a partnership would expose the country to unnecessary risk,” Stratbase president Victor ‘Andres’ Manhit said in a recent statement.
The comments came after the government said it was considering joint gas exploration with China, particularly in the western section of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, amid the energy crisis brought about by the war in the Middle East.
In an earlier interview on Bloomberg, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the global oil crisis – triggered by the effective control of Iran of the Strait of Hormuz – could be the “impetus” for the Philippines “to come to an agreement” on such joint exploration in the disputed regions in the South China Sea.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he was hoping that the proposed joint oil exploration with China, which was raised during the Duterte administration, would push through.
Senators Panfilo Lacson and Sherwin Gatchalian supported the initiative, but reminded that there must be enough safeguards in place to protect national interest and sovereignty. Sen. JV Ejercito, had cautioned against the project, asking how one could trust a country “trying to undermine your sovereignty and trying to annex your territory.”
According to Manhit, any discussion of joint energy exploration activities must be firmly anchored in international law as well as the 2016 arbitral award that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea.
He said the government should pursue “clear and decisive measures,” including the full implementation of Executive Order No. 111, which adopted Philippine names for 131 features of the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the Palawan province as an exercise of the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio shared the same sentiment, saying that a possible acceptance of China’s terms in the current talks would be “suicide” for the Philippines.
Both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Security Council warned the government against partnering with China on oil and gas exploration, accusing Beijing of not being a “reliable partner.” Desperation often leads leaders to make the wrong choices.
In the case of our country, a partnership with China in the hotly-disputed West Philippine Sea will certainly need to be evaluated fully if it is to be considered. Any deal that our government enters into with the country that has been the regional bully in that area must always prioritize the long term protection of our national interests first and foremost.*
