Ex-President Duterte, China had deal to keep West Philippine Sea status quo: Roque

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese President Xi Jinping. - File photo from a Twitter post by Hua Chunying

MANILA: Former President Rodrigo Duterte made a verbal agreement with China when he was still in power to maintain the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, according to ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Roque clarified, however, that the agreement — which called for the Philippines to refrain from constructing and repairing installations in the area — was non-binding and could not apply during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s tenure.