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Philippine VP slams Rodrigo Duterte for ‘reckless’ suggestion to set aside South China Sea ruling over Beijing gas deal
- Philippine VP Leni Robredo described Duterte’s apparent openness to concede to China and jointly develop gas reserves as ‘extremely irresponsible’
- Entering into any deal should not come at the expense of upholding the country’s rights in the South China Sea, Robredo said
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The Philippines’ vice-president on Thursday rebuked President Rodrigo Duterte for being “reckless” in suggesting he would consider ignoring an arbitration ruling in its favour over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea with China to forge a joint energy deal with Beijing.
Leni Robredo, who also leads the opposition, described as “extremely irresponsible” Duterte’s apparent openness to concede to China and accept its offer to jointly develop gas reserves, which an international tribunal ruled Manila had the right to exploit.
Entering into any deal should not come at the expense of upholding the country’s rights in the South China Sea, Robredo said in a statement.
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“Guaranteeing a better future for our children is perhaps one of the most important, and most difficult, responsibilities of any administration,” said Robredo. “Selling that future for a gas deal with China is a shameful way of abandoning that responsibility.”
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Robredo was elected separately to Duterte and was not his running mate. She has a frosty relationship with the president, who often mocks her during his public speeches.
Her comments came two days after Duterte said Chinese President Xi Jinping told him that Beijing was ready to be a minority partner in a joint energy venture at the Reed Bank, but the Philippines must first set aside the 2016 award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, a ruling China does not recognise.
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