Philippines halts oil and gas exploration in disputed South China Sea; aims to strike energy deal with China

MANILA, April 24, 2022 (AFP): Manila has suspended oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman had announced this week, as it tries to strike a deal with Beijing on a joint energy project.

Drilling off the Philippines was allowed to resume in October 2020 when Duterte -- who has taken a softer approach than his predecessor to Beijing's claims over most of the waterway -- lifted a 2014 moratorium.