South China Sea: new Philippine claims on alleged Duterte-Xi deal could play into Beijing’s hands, analysts say

Claims that the alleged deal was already in place before Duterte’s term are meant to shift the blame to former leader Benigno Aquino III, observers say

Beijing could also insist such a deal has always existed and the Philippines violated it, thereby justifying its actions in the South China Sea, they add

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their talks in Beijing in April 2019. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 8:00am, 23 May 2024Updated: 9:27am, 23 May 2024

New claims that a so-called gentleman’s agreement on the South China Sea was in fact agreed to by the predecessor of former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte are aimed at “protecting Duterte” and could also allow Beijing to use the issue to its advantage, analysts have said.

The comments by Salvador Medialdea, Duterte’s former executive secretary, were meant to shift the blame to late leader Benigno Aquino III who could “no longer defend himself”, observers told This Week in Asia, adding that this would allow Beijing to strengthen its claims of a deal being in place.

The alleged agreement would restrict the Philippines’ ability to send repair and construction materials to the BRP Sierra Madre – a World War II era navy vessel grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea to serve as an outpost to strengthen Manila’s presence in the disputed waters.

A Philippine flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine military detachment on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters

Testifying during a hearing of the House Committee on National Defence and Security on Tuesday, Medialdea said he understood “there was a previous commitment that food and water will be allowed to be shipped to the debilitated vessel from 2013”.

He claimed the deal had been agreed to by former defence secretary Voltaire Gazmin and then-Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing. Medialdea suggested this agreement continued during Duterte’s administration out of respect for the previous commitment.

This revelation contradicts statements from former Duterte spokesman Harry Roque, who previously claimed that Manila entered into the “gentleman’s agreement” with China during Duterte’s term.

Ramon Beleno III, head of the political science and history department at Ateneo De Davao University, said Medialdea’s claim could only benefit Beijing.