By Danessa Rivera (The
Philippine Star) | Updated July 22, 2016 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Department
of Energy (DOE) remained firm the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the
West Philippine Sea will stay even as the recent ruling made by the UN Arbitral
Tribunal was favorable to the country.
“The moratorium stays. We’re
exploring ways to resolve the conflict peacefully and we follow the lead of the
President,” DOE spokesman Felix William Fuentebella said in a text message.
Earlier, Philex Petroleum Corp.
sought a meeting with DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi to discuss forward plans in
service contracts (SC) it holds in view of the recent ruling made by the UN
Arbitral Tribunal.
Philex owns a 67.19 percent direct
and indirect interest in Forum Energy Ltd., which has a 70 percent operating
interest in SC 72 covering the Recto Bank. It also has a direct operating
interest of 50 percent in SC 75 northwest Palawan.
Exploration activities in SC 72 and
SC 75 were suspended in December 2014 and 2015, respectively, due to a maritime
dispute between the Philippines and China.
Cusi said the agency is still
evaluating the actions related to the ruling made by the UN body in the
disputed waters.
He also said the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be the main agency for the assessment.
“The DFA will be assessing the
overall implications of the verdict in coordination with other agencies of the
government among them the Department of Energy,” he said. “The Philippines
reiterates its abiding commitment to pursue a peaceful resolution of disputes
in the South China Sea and promote peace and stability in the region through
diplomacy and consultations.”
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