Philippine Senators Ask Duterte to Disclose China Energy Plan

Philippine Senators Ask Duterte to Disclose China Energy Plan
Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte looks on during the retreat session of the APEC Summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Nov. 18, 2018. David Gray/Reuters
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MANILA—Philippine opposition senators have demanded President Rodrigo Duterte reveal details of joint energy exploration plans with China, warning such a deal risked affirming Chinese territorial claims that are not recognized under international law.

Early this year, the two countries set up a joint panel to work out how to explore offshore oil and gas in areas that both claim, without addressing the explosive issue of who has the sovereign rights to them.