TODO-TANGGI ang Malacanang na may kasunduan nang pinasok si Pangulong Duterte at Chinese President Xi Jin Ping kaugnay ng pinag-aagawang West Philippine Sea.
“There is no truth to the speculation of a purported verbal fishing agreement between President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and President Xi Jin Ping,” sabi ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Idinagdag ni Roque na wala ring katotohanan na pinapayagan ni Duterte na manatili ang mga Chinese vessels sa WPS sa kabila ng diplomatic protest na inihahain ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“This is without basis and is quite simply, conjecture,” giit ni Roque.
Noong Abril 21, muling naghain ng diplomatic protest ang DFA sa harap ng patuloy na pananatili ng mga barko ng China sa karagatan ng Pilipinas.
“The President does not condone unlawful commercial fishing by any state on Philippine waters. However, the President also recognizes that subsistence fishing may be allowed as a recognition of the traditional fishing rights pointed out by the Arbitral Tribunal itself in its Award on Jurisdiction in the case between the Philippines and China,” ayon pa kay Roque.
Nanawagan din si Roque na itigil na ang pagpapakalat ng mga malisyosong impormasyon.
“We ask everyone to just focus our time and effort on productive activities that will enable us help one another at this time of pandemic,” sabi pa ng opisyal.
