Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines is not closing its doors to the possibility of expanding the “provisional agreement” with China from Ayungin Shoal to the entire West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.
The idea was initially raised during deliberations on the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs at the House of Representatives.
ACT party-list Rep. France Castro asked Manalo if the arrangement with China on rotational and resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal could be expanded.
“Kasi ang ginagawa natin reacting, kung nagkaroon na tayo peacefully ng bilateral agreement, we might as well extend that to cover the West Philippine Sea,” said Castro.
[Translation: We are just reacting. If we already have a peaceful bilateral agreement, we might as well extend that to cover the West Philippine Sea.]
Manalo welcomed the suggestion.
“Certainly an interesting idea. If China is willing to cooperate with other claimants, why not?” said Manalo.
Manalo added that, for now, Manila is committed to adhering to the agreement.
“We expect China to honor it,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro shared some key points of the deal.
“The salient point of the provisional arrangement is basically this: the provisional arrangement is without prejudice to our national positions. Ito po siguro ang pinaka importante [this is probably the most important],” said Lazaro.
She said the agreement can still be reviewed and that the Chinese side recognizes the conduct of RORE (rotational and resupply) in Ayungin.
The committee later on agreed for a closed-door session for Lazaro to disclose more details on the provisional agreement.
