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Ex-PRRD failed to protect WPS, China interested in PH Rise - JPE

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
February 20, 2025, 8:24 pm

MANILA -- The West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue remains a problem because of former president Rodrigo Duterte's failure to protect the Philippines' interest, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile said Thursday, as he cautioned against China's interest over the Philippine Rise.

In an interview with state-run Radyo Pilipinas, Enrile said Duterte failed to protect the Philippine waters, particularly the WPS, despite his close ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Si Presidente Digong, presidente na 'yan na malapit kay Xi Jinping, malapit sa Beijing sa Tsina. Ngunit doon sa panahon niya, mayroon tayong peaceful relations sa China pero hindi niya naayos ang national interest natin sa West Philippine Sea kaya hanggang ngayon, problema (President Duterte is close with Xi Jinping and Beijing in China. During his time, we have peaceful relations with China. Yet, he was unable to resolve our national interest in the West Philippine Sea)," Enrile said.

While the Philippine never loses control over the WPS despite China's continued incursions and harassment, Manila has no military means to confront Beijing, Enrile said.

Enrile hoped that time will come that the Philippines would be able to face China as it asserts its sovereign rights over the WPS.

"'Yung mga karapatan sa mga isla nandiyan pa rin kaya lang wala tayong puwersa na sapat para kunin ng matinding harapan ang Tsina sapagkat wala tayong kakayahan para makipag-giyera sa Tsina. Kaya wala tayong magagawa ngayon (The rights to the islands are still there, but we don't have the enough force to take on China head-on because we don't have the capacity to wage war with China. So there's nothing we can do now)," he said.

He said the Philippines may also seek the United States' help, if need be, since the two nations have the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Enrile also emphasized the need to heighten security presence in northern Luzon to protect the Philippine Rise, which is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals.

He said the Philippine Rise is a "potential source of energy" for the Philippines.

"We have to provide a security cover for the northern portion of Luzon because we own Benham or Philippine Rise. It is not being developed now, but that Philippine Rise is a potential source of energy for us," Enrile said. "We have to provide the security for it because China is eyeing that place. China needs the Philippines very badly." (PNA)