By Veronica Corral
The Department of Energy (DOE) has requested the Security, Justice, and Peace Cabinet Cluster (SJPCC) to reconsider its decision of suspending oil exploration in the West Philippine Sea and allow them to resume operations.
In the Palace’s reaction to a maritime expert’s statement calling the DOE suspension “a game of chicken” and a loss against China, presidential spokesman Secretary Martin Andanar said on Tuesday, April 19, that the DOE has already asked the SJPCC and is just waiting for the security’s nod.
“The DOE sought reconsideration on the ground that, under international law, a geophysical survey is perfectly legitimate activity in any disputed area,” Andanar said.
“The DOE is still waiting for the decision on its request for reconsideration,” he added.
The statement was published after two Philippine ships were tailed by the Chinese coastguards during its seismic survey of the West Philippine Sea.
“[It is] a signal that China is seriously out to prevent any petroleum exploration development by the Philippines in its own waters,” it stated.
A halt in conducting surveys might also force the PXP energy corporation to abandon a survey contract if the suspension remained, the expert said. -bny
