Solons seek full disclosure of Duterte’s ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with China

Lawmakers have called for a probe to obtain full disclosure of the purported ‘gentleman’s agreement’ regarding the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea between former president Rodrigo Duterte and China.

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, one of the authors of House Bill No. 1216 seeking the inquiry, wants no less than Duterte to face the House of Representatives, saying he is the best resource person to speak on the issue.

“Ano ba talaga itong secret deal na ito with Duterte and China? Ito yung resolution para malinawan tayong mga Pilipino (What’s this secret deal all about?  This resolution will help us clarify the issue),” Castro said.

“Definitely, pabibigyan namin ng invitation si former President Duterte kasi siya ‘yung kausap ng China (Definitely, we will ask the concerned committee to invite former President Duterte because he was the one talking with China),” she added.

The lawmaker said her bill, which she filed last year, should be put in motion to start the discussions at the committee level.

“Now that Duterte has finally admitted to entering a secret deal with China, it is imperative that Congress hear House Resolution 1216 that we filed as early as last year. We must know all that there is to this unpatriotic deal, and the ones responsible should be held accountable,” Castro said in a statement.

“We demand full disclosure of the details of this secret agreement. The Filipino people have the right to know what compromises were made and what implications these have on our country’s territorial integrity. Baka naibenta na pala ni Duterte ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi pa natin alam,” Castro added.

(For all we know, Duterte might have already sold the West Philippine Sea to China without our knowledge.)

Castro said such secret dealings hugely impact national sovereignty and raises questions on how the country is being governed.

“We call on our fellow lawmakers to swiftly address this issue and ensure that the interests of the Filipino people are protected. It is crucial that we uphold our sovereignty and hold those accountable for any actions that may compromise it,” she urged.

Congressional inquiry

Senate Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and House Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Khonghun of Zambales support Castro’s call, saying that Duterte and his administration’s officials’ confusing and conflicting statements on the supposed “gentleman’s agreement” with China necessitate a congressional inquiry.

“Their contradictory statements all the more require that the Senate resolution I filed be heard at the soonest possible time. Tigilan na rin ni Duterte ang pagsasabi na mas maayos ang West Philippine Sea noong panahon niya. It was during his administration that China passed the disastrous fishing ban against Filipino fisherfolk,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement.

(Duterte should stop his claims that the Philippines was in a better situation in the West Philippine Sea during his term.)

Hontiveros also cited that it was also during the Duterte administration that the Chinese Navy vessels armed with missiles chased and harassed Filipino journalists.

“It was his presidency that made the Philippines look like a Chinese puppet in the eyes of the international community. Mas marami pang mga insidente ng pananakot at pambabanta na hindi pa isinapubliko noon. Pero ngayon, kitang-kita ang kahangalan ng Tsina,” Hontiveros said.

(There were many more unreported incidents in the past. But now China’s aggression is on full display.)

“Huwag niya nang ipagtanggol ang best friend niya. Walang napala ang Pilipinas,” Hontiveros added

(Duterte should stop defending his best friend. The Philippines has gained nothing.)

Khonghun, for his part, said it is crucial to ascertain the truth if the Duterte administration struck such a deal with the Chinese.

“This isn’t just about conflicting narratives; it’s about upholding integrity and accountability,” Khonghun said.

“We cannot allow uncertainty to cloud our national interests. The Filipino people deserve clarity and honesty from our leaders. As lawmakers, it is our duty to seek out the truth and hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing,” Khonghun said.

It was former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque who first disclosed that Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to maintain the “status quo” at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, where the BRP Sierra Madre had been grounded.

Duterte said he entered into a verbal fishing agreement with China’s President Xi involving Recto Bank access which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, provided that Filipinos will be allowed to fish in Scarborough Shoal.

The 2016 Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, however, upheld the Philippines’ 200 nautical miles off territorial sea as its exclusive economic zone, as well as declared that the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank) as within the Philippines’ EEZ.

China, however, has refused to recognize the Hague ruling to this day. Beijing has threatened the Philippines as the country exercised its sovereignty in the disputed waters.

The Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia have fired water cannons and maneuvered dangerously against Philippine Coast Guard and civilian vessels as it accused the Philippines of encroaching into what it claims as its territory.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said he was “horrified” by the supposed “gentleman’s agreement” entered into by his predecessor and the Chinese government regarding the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Marcos also said that his administration has no knowledge of any documentation regarding the agreement. Upon assuming office in 2022, they were not briefed on the matter.—RF, GMA Integrated News