President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on former President Rodrigo Duterte to come clean about a purported “secret deal” with China, emphasizing the importance of accountability in governance. The call comes after the Chinese Embassy confirmed Duterte’s agreement to regulate Philippine activities in the West Philippine Sea.
Expressing bewilderment, Marcos Jr. questioned why such a significant agreement was not documented or disclosed to the public. He emphasized that agreements with other nations should be transparent to ensure accountability for decisions made.
Marcos Jr. urged journalists to investigate officials from the previous administration, alleging a clandestine arrangement. Despite Duterte’s admission of an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to maintain the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos Jr. demanded clarity on the terms and any compromises made.
Duterte claimed that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año was aware of the deal, but Marcos Jr. refuted this, stating Año was not involved in the discussions.
While Duterte asserted that no territorial concessions were made, Marcos Jr. stressed the need for clarification to safeguard the Philippines’ interests.
Amid concerns over national security, Marcos Jr. reiterated his intent to annul any deals made regarding the West Philippine Sea during the previous administration.