MANILA, Philippines — “China doesn’t need our oil and gas. We do.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said this on Monday, reacting to Vice President Leni Robredo’s call for China to recognize the Philippines’ ownership and sovereignty in the West Philippines Sea first before the two countries enter into a joint oil deal.

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READ: Robredo: China must recognize Philippines’ sovereignty over WPS before joint oil deal

“China doesn’t need our oil and gas. We do. And China is the only one offering to help develop it,” Locsin said in a tweet.

“A Filipino discovered humongous oil and gas just offshore Beijing. It’s rolling in minerals. Sooooooooooooo….,” he added.

Uh China doesn’t need our oil and gas. We do. And China is the only one offering to help develop it. A Filipino discovered humongous oil and gas just offshore Beijing. It’s rolling in minerals. Sooooooooooooo…. https://t.co/9sSmM8SN7X — Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) October 28, 2019

In November 2018, President Rodrigo Dutere and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a memorandum of agreement on the joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippines Sea.

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National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the 60-40 sharing scheme between the two countries, with the 60-share going to the Philippines, is “fair” since China would be the one to spend for the exploration.

READ: 60-40 sharing ‘fair’ as China will spend for WPS exploration—Esperon

But Robredo, citing the Philippines’ victory before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, said that China must first recognize the Philippines’ ownership and sovereignty over the seas covered by the deal.

“That should be one of our most basic demands: That before we enter into any contract with them, they recognize first out ownership and sovereignty over those areas,” Robredo said.

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