Duterte-China ‘deal’ on Ayungin ship probe ‘a waste of time’ – Panelo

FILE PHOTO: The BRP Sierra Madre, a Navy warship that now serves as military outpost, keeps watch over Ayungin (Second Thomas), located within the country’s exclusive economic zone. Nearby are Chinese coast guard and militia vessels in this shot taken on February 21, 2023, during an aerial surveillance by the Philippine Coast Guard. Philippine Daily Inquirer/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — Ex-presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it would only be “a waste of time” to investigate the supposed agreement between ex-president Rodrigo Duterte and China on the removal of the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

The lawyer maintained that such a pact was non-existent and that the matter had already been addressed before.

“That was already (responded) to – no promise was made and China has NOT substantiated its [claims] that there was a commitment by whoever,” Panelo, who also served as Duterte’s legal counsel, told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

This writer sought the former Palace official’s comment on ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro’s call for the House of Representatives to schedule hearings for House Resolution (HR) No. 1216, which seeks a probe into the alleged promise of Duterte to China that the grounded BRP Sierra Madre will be removed from Ayungin Shoal.

In her statement, Castro alluded to Duterte as the one behind the deal, given the former president’s close ties with China.

But Panelo said congressional hearings are “a useless undertaking” and that Castro’s plea was merely intended for her own publicity.

Instead of holding hearings, Panelo said Castro should condemn terrorist groups in Maguindanao del Sur who killed four soldiers last Sunday, March 17.

“Congressional investigation is a useless undertaking, a waste of time and taxpayers money. Intended by that lawmaker for her own publicity,” Panelo said.

“She should focus on lawmaking.  Also she should condemn the killing of the [four] soldiers in Maguindanao [d]el Sur by the terrorists,” he added.

In August 2023, when tensions were high over the disputed portions of the West Philippine Sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Ayungin Shoal always belonged to China and that the Philippines illegally occupied the area by placing BRP Sierra Madre there.

China then claimed a former Philippine president promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin.

READ: China claims PH has yet to remove BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal as promised

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded that he was not aware of any deal on the disputed waters,  adding that if such an agreement existed, it is now rescinded.

READ: Pact on Ayungin rescinded, if there’s any – Marcos

In August 2023, Senator Robinhood Padilla also defended Duterte and said the former president did not enter into such agreement, as relayed to him by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Padilla’s remarks came after two former presidents – Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – have categorically denied making such a promise to China.