NSC tells Roque: Explain ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between Manila and Beijing on WPS

“We are not aware of any ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between China and the Philippines referred to by former secretary Harry Roque,” he said in a statement.

“The good former secretary should be one to explain to the public his statements since such an agreement, if it exists, infringes and violates our sovereignty as a nation,” Malaya added.

Malaya, also National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson, was referring to Roque’s claims that former President Rodrigo Duterte had a verbal agreement with China not to construct and repair Philippine facilities in the WPS, including refraining from sending construction materials for BRP Sierra Madre.

Roque said the agreement does not involve the towing or removal of the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

He also admitted the agreement was non-binding on President Marcos.

“China has repeatedly claimed that there was an alleged promise to remove or tow away BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal. In so far as the NTF-WPS is concerned, we have not seen any document from the former administration that validates or confirms the existence of this so-called ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and the terms of such agreement under the previous administration,” Malaya said.

“In any case, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has settled the matter that even if such exists, he has rescinded it. Therefore, China’s repeated reference to such ‘promises’ serves no purpose as there is no legally binding agreement between the two countries under the Marcos Jr. administration,” the NSC official added.

Malaya also said the Philippines has not violated the Declaration of Conduct (DOC) as claimed by China.

“As has been seen by the world, the Philippines has acted with self-restraint in the conduct of activities and has not acted to complicate or escalate disputes that affect peace and stability,” he said.