PH Terminates Joint Oil Exploration Negotiations with China

The Philippines has abandoned all joint oil negotiation talks with China, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday.

Locsin revealed the latest development in the Philippines’ aim for a better relationship with China over the West Philippine Sea during the DFA Foundation Day.

Locsin said further that the Philippines and China negotiated on the deal for three years and got as far as what was allowed constitutionally.

However, the DFA chief said that continuing with the negotiation would have risked a “constitutional crisis” for the Philippines.

Locsin said that the Philippine representation in the negotiation did not surrender an inch of its sovereignty.

“That explains the sudden pull-back on my part which unraveled three years of sincere hard work on the part of Wang Yi and me. We had both tried to go as far as we could — without renouncing China’s aspiration on his part; and constitutional limitations on my part. I shut down shop completely,” Locsin said.

Moreover, the foreign affairs chief also noted that the stoppage of the negotiations has outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte’s blessing.

“The president had spoken. I carried out his instructions to the letter: oil and gas discussions are terminated completely. Nothing is pending; everything is over,” Locsin added. (GFB)