President says no record of Duterte's gentleman's agreement with China

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MANILA, Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he was horrified by the idea that “we have compromised through a secret agreement the territory, the sovereignty, the sovereign rights of the Philippines.”

The President was reacting to the supposed “gentleman’s agreement” involving the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte and the Chinese government. Part of the deal was that Filipinos were only allowed to deliver food and water supplies to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

Speaking to reporters in San Juan City, the President said there was neither documentation nor record of the supposed “gentleman’s agreement” between Duterte and China to maintain the status quo in the West Philippine Sea.

“We don’t know anything about it. There is no documentation. There is no record. We were not briefed when I came into office,” Marcos said during a chance interview.

“I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised through a secret agreement the territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights of the Philippines,” he added.