MAGSASAGAWA na ng imbestigasyon ang Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso hinggil sa umano’y “gentleman’s agreement” ng Pilipinas sa China kaugnay sa isyu ng West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“It is imperative that we shed light on any agreements or arrangements that could potentially compromise our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” ani Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun.

Ginawa ng mambabatas ang pahayag matapos kondenahin ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., ang umano’y gentleman’s agreement.

Unang kinumpirma ni dating Presidential spokesman Harry Roque na may gentleman’s agreement sina dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Chinese President Xi Jinping at kabilang sa kasunduan ang “bawal magdala ng construction material sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal”.

Gayunpaman, mariin itong itinanggi ni dating Presidential Legal counsel Salvador Panelo at inakusahan ang nagpapakalat sa nasabing ‘gentleman’s agreement” na sinungaling.

“The Filipino people deserve to know the truth and hold accountable those responsible for any actions that may jeopardize our national interests,” ani Khonghun.

Hindi aniya dapat balewalain ang sinasabing kasunduan dahil malaki ang magiging epekto nito partikular na sa soberanya ng bansa.

Para naman kay Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, maituturing na chronic aggressor ang China kaya hindi naman nagkaroon ng ‘gentleman’s agreement lalo na’t tanging si Duterte ang nagdesisyon at hindi aprubado ng Kongreso.

“I agree with President Marcos Jr. that former President Duterte’s unilateral and surreptitious agreement with China’s principal official is a grave mistake and indeed compromises Philippine sovereignty. This has no binding effect,” ayon pa kay Lagman.

(BERNARD TAGUINOD)