FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte’s agreement with China over the West Philippine Sea includes surrendering of the Philippine sovereign rights over Ayungin shoal, thus, said retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio.
Carpio made the statement in an Inquirer report, where he said the move was just disguised as a “gentleman’s agreement.”
The agreement was to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, which means no construction and repair on the BRP Sierra Madre, the grounded Navy warship that the Philippines has been using as an outpost.
Carpip said in the Inquirer report that the agreement with China violated the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling recognizing Ayungin Shoal as part of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
Earlier, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte entered into deal with China to maintain the status quo in the West Philippine Sea.
This means no construction materials should be brought to the area, including Ayungin Shoal.
But Roque also said this agreement is not a treaty and not binding on the Marcos administration.
