Rody on deal with China: As is, where is

After President Marcos said he was “horrified” by a secret deal on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), former president Rodrigo Duterte has broken his silence on the issue – and tossed in insults directed at his successor.

- MITCHELLE PALAUBSANON

In a press conference Thursday night, Duterte clarified his agreement with China on the WPS, denying that he conceded Philippine territory, but admitting that he agreed not to have repairs done on the BRP Sierra Madre, which is marooned on Ayungin Shoal.

Duterte said what he had with China’s President Xi Jinping was a “handshake” sealing their agreement of maintaining a status quo over the disputed territory, or “as is, where is.”

Duterte would not call it a “gentleman’s agreement,” as described by his former spokesman.

He explained that by status quo, both the Philippines and China agreed not to make any movements and armed patrols in the waters as a way to avoid conflict. “I assure you if it was a gentleman’s agreement, it would have been an agreement that would keep the peace in the South China Sea,” he added.

Duterte stressed that he did not concede anything to China.“That is not the duty of a president,” he said.