Critics warn Marcos vs trading sea rights for oil in China talksPresident Bongbong Marcos confers with China and Philippine officials uponn the signing of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area deal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 28, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration's return to the negotiating table with China on joint energy exploration in the West Philippine Sea is drawing wide pushback, with critics warning the oil crisis may be used to justify concessions at sea. The Stratbase Institute, an independent think tank, and Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares on Monday, April 6, separately rejected any move toward joint oil exploration with Beijing. Days later, the Philippines and China held back-to-back diplomatic meetings in Quanzhou, China, where officials said there were "initial exchanges" on potential oil and gas cooperation. Those rights are "non-negotiable," the Stratbase statement read, and all resources must remain under "full Philippine ownership, control, and supervision."

Source: Philippine Star April 06, 2026 16:17 UTC