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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday cautioned government negotiators against entering potential oil and gas agreements with China, warning that Beijing has not been a “reliable partner” despite ongoing discussions on possible cooperation.
“The Chinese Communist Party is not a reliable partner on the negotiating table,” said Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea matters, during a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
“Historically, we have observed a difference in the way they speak and their actions on the ground. These are facts which are recorded.”
The warning came after Philippine and Chinese officials held back-to-back meetings for the 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations and the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea on March 27 and 28 in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province.
Despite the renewed talks, Trinidad said the AFP would continue patrol and monitoring operations in the West Philippine Sea, stressing the military remains vigilant while diplomatic discussions proceed.
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Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio also warned that joint oil and gas exploration between the Philippines and China could be a “trap.”
“Joint development is a trap because joint development means China owns the gas, the oil, all the natural resources,” Carpio said during a visit to Pag-asa Island.
“China has the sovereign rights. That’s from the point of view of China. So why will we accept that?” he added.
Carpio visited Pag-asa Island to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a Catholic church and was shown by the Philippine Coast Guard structures being built by China in Panganiban Reef, which is inside the country’s exclusive economic zone. Chinese maritime militia vessels were also observed in Sabina Shoal.
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