Ex-Philippine President's South China Sea agreement with Xi Jinping raises treason concerns
- In Reports
- 07:34 PM, Apr 16, 2024
- Myind Staff
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is under significant scrutiny and facing demands for legal action regarding a contentious "gentleman's agreement" made with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the South China Sea.
Critics, such as ex-Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio and Senator Risa Hontiveros, allege that Duterte may have committed treason by potentially relinquishing the Philippines' territorial rights in the region.
During a recent press briefing, Duterte refuted the assertion that he had relinquished any territorial claims. However, he did acknowledge reaching an agreement with Xi to uphold the current situation by refraining from constructing new facilities in the disputed waters.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, the pact allegedly prevented the Philippines from sending construction materials to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre, a warship stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal, which is crucial for Philippine sovereignty.
Carpio criticised the agreement, emphasizing the risk of the warship sinking due to its deteriorated condition and lack of repairs. In response to Carpio's criticism, Duterte suggested that Carpio should refrain from interfering in matters in which he was not involved.
Political analyst Sherwin Ona and Senator Hontiveros have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the potential violation of national interest inherent in the agreement. Ona highlighted the dubious nature of the deal, noting the absence of any written, video, or audio evidence, while Hontiveros filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the matter, characterising the agreement as "treasonous."
The controversy surrounding the South China Sea deal has also caught the attention of Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the incumbent President of the Philippines, who voiced concerns that Duterte may have withheld information about the agreement. Marcos stressed the importance of Duterte providing clarity on the terms of the deal and the reasoning behind it.
Ramon Beleno III from Ateneo De Davao University defended Duterte, asserting that the agreement aimed to alleviate bilateral tensions. However, he acknowledged that Duterte's lack of action following the normalisation of the situation presented significant issues, particularly as China now appears to leverage the agreement to justify increased aggression in the South China Sea.
Recent developments have seen Chinese authorities demanding the removal of the BRP Sierra Madre from the Second Thomas Shoal, underscoring the ongoing tension and complexity of the sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea.
Image source: Times of India
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