International relations experts have vehemently criticized a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ allegedly made by former President Rodrigo Duterte with China, claiming it undermines Philippine sovereignty and favors Beijing significantly. The controversy arose during a news forum in Quezon City, where details of the supposed agreement were discussed.
Renato de Castro, a professor at De La Salle University, argued that the agreement does not maintain the status quo but instead benefits China by allowing the continued decay of the BRP Sierra Madre—a strategic Philippine military outpost in the contested South China Sea. De Castro emphasized that this situation only serves Chinese interests, waiting for the outpost to become untenable.
The revelation of the agreement was first made by Duterte’s former spokesperson, Harry Roque, and has been surrounded by conflicting statements from other officials from Duterte’s administration. Despite denials and Duterte’s claims of not conceding territory, critics argue that the agreement represents a severe lapse in the country’s defense of its national interests.
Don Mclain Gill, another geopolitical analyst, described the agreement as a betrayal of Filipino values and a serious misstep in terms of national security. Meanwhile, Joshua Espeña from the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank warned that adhering to this agreement could set a harmful precedent for the Philippines, encouraging other nations to expect similar concessions in future territorial disputes.
The issue has prompted current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while in Washington D.C., to question the secrecy and contents of the agreement, reflecting ongoing concerns over its implications for Philippine territorial integrity and sovereignty.