Esperon, Lorenzana to join talks on joint WPS oil deal

MANILA, Philippines — Two top security officials would form part of the five-man steering committee from the Philippines to finalize the joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday.

“Verily it should be Secretary [Hermogenes] Esperon, Secretary [Delfin] Lorenzana,” the President said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

He said there were three other members, but he did not name them.

Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana earlier assured the public that any joint exploration deal must be in accordance with Philippine and Chinese laws.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying the “steering committee should prepare a substantive program on the matter.”

The President earlier said the Philippines should have a bigger share in the joint exploration deal. But there has been no definite sharing scheme yet.

/atm