(POLITIKO) Senator Jinggoy Estrada has expressed disappointment at former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for claiming that there was a “gentleman’s agreement” between China and the Philippines during the Duterte administration.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada has expressed disappointment at former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for claiming that there was a “gentleman’s agreement” between China and the Philippines during the Duterte administration.
“It’s disappointing, to say the least, and utterly unacceptable for former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to make such baseless claims when he’s not even privy to such information,” Estrada said on Thursday (March 28).
Estrada was referring to Roque’s admission during an interview with Politiskoop that former President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to China’s proposal for a “status quo” in the South China Sea to avoid tension.
According to Roque, the present Marcos administration reneged on that agreement, irking China and forcing it to use its coast guard water cannons on Philippine vessels deployed during rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.
Roque also echoed the claim of a high-ranking Chinese official that the humanitarian missions were used to bring in construction materials to Ayungin to fortify the grounded wartime ship there. Manila has denied China’s accusation.
Estrada said Roque’s assertions only sow confusion and put to doubt the present Marcos administration’s efforts to protect the country’s sovereignty against China’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
“Ang mga ganitong pahayag, sa gitna ng mga lumalalang panggigipit at bullying na nararanasan natin sa China, ay nagpapalaganap lamang ng kalituhan at pagdududa sa integridad at kakayahan natin na ipaglaban ang seguridad ng ating bansa,” Estrada said.
“We must remain firm and united in defending our sovereignty, and in safeguarding our maritime territories for the benefit of present and future generations,” he added.