House to probe ‘Duterte-Xi deal’

THE HOUSE of Representatives will conduct an inquiry on the supposed “gentleman’s agreement” between former Philippine president Rodrigo R. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Monday.

Filed by Zambales Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun, the resolution seeks to look into the two state leaders’ alleged status quo agreement over Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), which prevents Manila from resupplying materials to fortify a grounded World War II-era naval ship that serves as a security outpost to the Philippines’ territorial claim in the South China Sea.

“In the exercise of our oversight powers, we will direct the appropriate House Committee to conduct an inquiry… to determine the adverse impact of such agreement on our… sovereignty, sovereign rights, and territorial integrity,” Mr. Romualdez said at the plenary.

A House resolution was filed earlier this month seeking an investigation into Mr. Duterte’s alleged deal with China.

“There is a necessity to look into such agreement to check if the same is true since it has been used as China’s justification of its harassment of Filipino resupply boats — including the use of water cannons on them,” House Resolution No. 1684 read.

“We can start with past officials because they are the ones who would execute the agreement,” Mr. Romualdez, speaking in Filipino, said in a media briefing.

He added that previous government officials who spoke on the supposed agreement, as well as those who belied its veracity, would be invited to the House hearing. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio