Joint exploration talks between Philippines, China proceeding: Roque

March 1, 2018

Joint exploration between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea is "likely to happen", Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday. "I know they are discussing. They are moving forward and it's likely to happen," Roque told ABS-CBN News Channel's Headstart. Roque said the Department of Energy is "negotiating" with a Chinese state company on possible joint exploration`in the South China Sea. "I don't really know the timetable," added Roque. News of possible joint exploration was announced first by Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sto. Romana on February 15. Later, in a press briefing in Malacanang, Roque said the government does not see any constitutional violation if President Rodrigo Duterte pursues joint exploration in the disputed South China Sea with China. Roque said under existing jurisprudence, the president is allowed to enter into a joint exploration of the country's mineral resources subject to certain conditions. "The existing jurisprudence is ‘yes,’ we can enter into joint exploration and joint exploitation with foreign entities provided that it complies with the Constitution among others, it be pursuant to a written agreement signed by the President and submitted to Congress," he said, citing the Supreme Court's decision in the case of La Bugal vs Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2004. He said joint exploration with China could be a "practical solution for the Filipinos to utilize natural resources without having to deal with the contentious conflicting claims to territories." The Philippines and China have been embroiled in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea. While the arbitral tribunal in 2016 has made an award to the Philippines by invalidating China's historic and sovereign rights in almost the entire South China Sea, Beijing has been ignoring this decision. It continues to claim those areas within the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone of the Philippines on its west side. In a speech in Marawi City on Wednesday, Duterte said Manila and Beijing could conduct joint exploration in the disputed waters and this could be like "co-ownership." Roque explained that "co-ownership" should not be construed that the Philippines is giving up or sharing its sovereign rights over its EEZ. "Well, they will jointly develop and explore for resources...so it’s a joint undertaking which is probably akin but we are (not) talking of title here, because as I said, in the first place, it's really exclusive economic zone. So we are talking of sovereign rights," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS