Robredo backs DFA on non-binding fishing agreement

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo backed yesterday Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s position that the verbal fishing agreement between President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping is not legally binding.

Robredo, a lawyer, agreed all resources within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) must be enjoyed by Filipinos alone.

“I think this is an issue involving foreign policy, the statement of the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is the most important,” the Vice President said in her weekly program over dzXL, noting that Cabinet officials have conflicting statements on the matter.

Earlier, Locsin said the verbal fishing agreement between Duterte and Xi cannot be enforced and is not policy.

“The verbal agreement cannot be enforced. It cannot be enforced on us, because it’s verbal,” Locsin said in an interview with ANC on July 3.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte considers his agreement with Xi on fishing in the disputed waters legally binding.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles described it as an “agreement to come to an agreement.”

Duterte revealed last month that he had a verbal agreement with Xi in 2016 that allows Beijing to fish in Manila’s EEZ.

The President issued the statement following a maritime incident in Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea on June 9, involving a Chinese vessel that hit a Filipino fishing boat.

The Filipino fishermen were abandoned by the Chinese fishermen at sea and were later rescued by a Vietnamese vessel.

The crew of F/B Gem-Vir 1 initially said they were intentionally rammed by the Chinese vessel. 

Scientists and environmental advocates have warned that resources in the West Philippine Sea would be depleted fast if the government does not prevent China from exploiting the country’s EEZ.