The Philippines has rejected China's claim of a supposed "new model" to de-escalate tension in the West Philippine Sea based on its agreement with the previous government.
National Security Council (NSC) Adviser Eduardo Ano and National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Jonathan Malaya insisted that any "agreement" reached between Beijing and Manila in the previous administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte "has been rescinded," local English daily Manila Times reported on Sunday.
"The president has been very clear. This administration is not aware of any secret or gentleman's agreement, and if there was such done under a previous administration, the same has been rescinded," Ano said in a statement.
The statement comes after the Chinese Embassy in Manila said it "repeatedly" informed the current administration about the so-called gentleman's agreement, in contrast to what President Marcos said was a "secret deal" that he did not know anything about.
"Since the current Philippine administration took office, the Chinese side has repeatedly briefed this administration on matters related to the Gentleman's Agreement, made representations regarding the Ren'ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal) issue, and remained committed to exploring ways of managing the differences through dialogue and consultation with the Philippine side," the Chinese Embassy said in a statement Thursday.
