REPRESENTATIVES from several Philippine government agencies on Monday said they were unaware of a supposed deal between ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping that could have compromised national sovereignty.
Representatives from the Foreign Affairs, Justice and Defense departments, the National Security Council and Philippine Coast Guard said they did not know about the deal.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs has no record of a gentleman’s agreement… with regard to Ayungin Shoal, as it is being referred to by the Chinese embassy,” Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau told congressmen at a hearing.
“The Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” she added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
