President Rodrigo Duterte said Chinese President Xi Jinping told him that former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario handed China some islands in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte said in his Monday night (May 3) speech that he brought up the topic concerning the resources in the West Philippine Sea during his first meeting with the Chinese president.
“I know President Xi Jinping, because I was blunt in my — unang kita namin. Sinabi ko na kaagad about our resources diyan sa West Philippine Sea. Sabi ko alam ko na may dalawang taong maingay. Sabi nga ni Xi Jinping na ‘ah alam namin’,” Duterte said.
“Iyong ‘yong dalawang si Albert, pati si Carpio, ang nagregalo sa amin niyang mga islands mo eh. Niregalo, namimigay,” he continued.
The Chief Executive slammed the two former officials anew on Monday, saying that it was during their term when the Philippines lost control over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to China.
He said the withdrawal of Philippine Coast Guard vessels from the shoal also caused the country to lose control over the disputed area.
“It was the order, as a matter of fact, of Albert. Sources say that he never got the permission from the President at the time, President Aquino,” he claimed.
“Ngayon na history is being made, recorded everyday, you want yourselves to be free from any liability,” he pointed out.
The President reiterated that there is no war with China, and emphasized that Filipino fisherfolk should be allowed “to fish in peace.”
“And since there is no reason for trouble, if there is one [brewing], you call our attention and we can talk immediately to solve the problem,” he said.
China took control of Panatag Shoal in 2012, when the previous administration withdrew its ships from the shoal upon the intervention of the United States.
The Philippines won its arbitration case against China when an international tribunal at the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines. The ruling was never recognized by China.
In March 2021, at least 200 fishing vessels of China were seen massed at the Julian Felipe Reef. – PNA/AG-jlo
