Philippines to be guided by Constitution in joint exploration talks with China

The Philippines and China will start discussions on the proposed joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea.

According to JP Soriano's report on "24 Oras", Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippine side will be guided by the Constitution.

“In any negotiations, we undertake on oil and gas, the Philippine position has always been that we would be guided by the Constitutional requirements," Manalo said.

"And that's how we will proceed in the next round,” he added.

Filipino and Chinese officials have met in a bilateral consultation mechanism where they discussed various issues.

According to Manalo, China took exception to the establishment of the new EDCA sites in the Philippines saying the US was endangering the Philippines with its actions and was merely serving its interests.

“Of course, we note what they say but as I said, these are undertaken for our own bilateral concerns and not because of any extra-regional issue. We have made that point,” Manalo said of China's position.

Manalo is set to meet next week with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and other officials. They are expected to finalize the location of the new EDCA sites. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News