Lagman backs Marcos: ‘Gentleman’s agreement’ with China a huge mistake

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States — Despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman agrees with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that a gentleman’s agreement with China is problematic.

Lagman on Wednesday said that the Philippines should not enter into a gentleman’s agreement with a “chronic aggressor,” referring to China.

The gentleman’s agreement Lagman was talking about is the deal supposedly made by former President Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese President Xi Jinping on maintaining the status quo in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).  It was Duterte’s former presidential spokesperson, lawyer Harry Roque, who made the admission.

“There can be no ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ with a chronic aggressor like China in the West Philippine Sea,” Lagman, who heads the opposition Liberal Party, said in a statement.

“I agree with President Marcos Jr. that former President Duterte’s unilateral and surreptitious agreement with China’s principal official is a grave mistake and indeed compromises Philippine sovereignty. This has no binding effect,” he added.

READ: Ex-President Duterte, China had deal to keep WPS status quo – Roque

Earlier, President Marcos said he is “horrified” by the idea of a gentleman’s agreement between China and the Philippines, especially if it indicates that the Philippines must get permission from another country to move within sovereign territories.

Marcos said his administration has no information on the alleged deal, adding that he still needs to clear up the issue with the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian.

Last March 27, Roque said that Duterte made a verbal agreement with China when he was still in power to maintain the status quo in the WPS.  Roque, however, clarified in a message to INQUIRER.net that the agreement — which called for the Philippines to refrain from constructing and repairing installations in the area — was non-binding and could not apply during the Marcos administration.

Roque also explained that the gentleman’s agreement was not similar to a supposed deal to remove BRP Sierra Madre — a Navy ship deliberately ran aground at Ayungin Shoal.  However, several observers, including retired Supreme Court associate Justice Antonio Carpio, believe the agreement was enough for Duterte to surrender rights over Ayungin Shoal.

READ: Carpio: Duterte gave up PH right over Ayungin in an agreement w/ China

China previously claimed that a Philippine president promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre — prompting opposition figures to accuse Duterte of brokering the deal.  The ex-president’s key allies however maintained that Duterte did not enter into such an agreement.

READ: Castro asks House to have hearings on alleged promise to remove BRP Sierra Madre 

Issues regarding the WPS — including China’s aggressive actions over the area — will be part of discussions during the first-ever trilateral meeting between the Philippines, Japan, and the United States (US).  President Marcos as of posting is on his way here for the meeting, which is believed to take place on Thursday (Eastern time).