Bayan Muna chairperson and former party-list representative Neri Colmenares cautioned the government against entering into joint exploration agreements with China in the West Philippine Sea, warning that such arrangements could undermine the country’s control over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“Joint exploration is being repackaged as a solution to high energy costs, but the reality is that China uses these deals to normalize its illegal presence and to extract concessions it cannot win under international law,” Colmenares said in a statement.
He stressed that under the Philippine Constitution, the exploration, development, and use of natural resources must remain under the full control and supervision of the State for the benefit of Filipinos. Any agreement with China, he added, must strictly comply with constitutional provisions.
Colmenares cited the 2005 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU), which Bayan Muna previously challenged before the Supreme Court. The high court declared the agreement unconstitutional in 2023.
“The JMSU showed how ‘joint’ projects can become one-sided: China gained access to strategic information and leverage, while Filipinos were left with questions, secrecy, and no clear benefit,” he said. “Niloko tayo noon, at ayaw nating maulit ang parehong kalokohan.”
He further argued that partnerships with China remain problematic, pointing to incidents involving Filipino fishermen and the Philippine Coast Guard in disputed waters.
“Hindi dapat sumunod sa China, at hindi rin dapat magpasakop sa agenda ng US. Dapat interes ng Pilipino ang masunod,” Colmenares said. “Any energy plan that begins with surrender is not an energy plan—it is a sellout.”
The former lawmaker urged the government to uphold the country’s sovereign rights under international law, including the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.