MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China have agreed not to set a deadline on possible joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday. For Cayetano, the ideal framework on the proposed joint exploration should be amenable to both Manila and Beijing. Cayetano added that Beijing was "open" to Manila's starting proposition on the proposed joint exploration. The oil reserves in the West Philippine Sea is about 50 percent times than those of Malampaya, according to Cayetano. Critics have warned that pursuing a joint exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea would be a disadvantage for the country.

Source: Philippine Star August 30, 2018 08:37 UTC