Ex-President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte had an agreement with China regarding the West Philippine Sea to maintain the “status quo,” based on a statement made today, March 27th, by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
The deal does not apply to current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. according to Roque, and it was so the Philippines could not repair or install any installations in the area.
This verbal agreement did not apply to the BRP Sierra Madre, a WW2-era LST purposely beached near the Second Thomas Shoal for surveillance purposes. Some have accused Duterte of working to remove it, however, former officials have denied these claims.
Torque brought this up after Philippine ships traveling to the Sierra Madre were harassed by Chinese Coast Guard ships; firing water cannons at them, injuring the crew, and damaging the ship.
