Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Chinese flags wave with Philippine flags along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on November 19, ahead of Chinese president Xi Jinping's state visit in the country. Xi will be visiting the country from November 20 to 21. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Flying the Chinese flag

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Philippine military on Tuesday cautioned government negotiators against entering potential oil and gas agreements with China, warning that Beijing has not been a “reliable partner,” even as both sides <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/30/philippines-china-open-talks-on-oil-and-gas-exploration-1034">begin initial discussions </a>on possible cooperation. </p><p>“The Chinese Communist Party is not a reliable partner on the negotiating table,” said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for West Philippine Sea matters.</p><p>The statement comes after the Philippine and China held back-to-back meetings for the 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations and the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea on March 27 and 28 in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province.  </p><p>In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said both sides made progress on practical measures, including initial exchanges on potential oil and gas cooperation, among other areas of collaboration.</p><p>While the military emphasized that diplomacy remains under the DFA’s mandate, Trinidad warned that China’s track record raises concerns. </p><p>“Historically, we have observed a difference in the way they speak and their actions on the ground. These are facts which are recorded,” Trinidad told reporters during a regular media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.</p><p>Despite ongoing talks, the AFP said it would continue its patrol and monitoring operations in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“Magpapatuloy ‘yong ating pagpapatrolya. We support DFA as they do the talking. At the same time, we will keep performing the patrolling and documenting,” Trinidad said. </p><p>Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippines would approach any potential agreement with caution to safeguard national interests.  </p><p>“Lagi naman tayong magiging sincere sa mga pag-uusap kung meron man at lagi tayong magiging maingat para sa interes ng bayan at para sa interes ng bawat Pilipino,” Castro said. </p><p>“Walang mawawalang interes, walang ipamimigay na interes,” she told reporters in a chance interview at a forum in Pasig City.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/29/ph-resumes-talks-raises-concern-over-china-s-actions-in-west-ph-sea-1011">PH raises concern over China’s actions in West PH Sea at Fujian meeting</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A3c2JWRsnvw?&amp;pp=0gcJCdsKAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nVa03rM7QPY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine military on Tuesday cautioned government negotiators against entering potential oil and gas agreements with China, warning that Beijing has not been a “reliable partner,” even as both sides begin initial discussions on possible cooperation.</p>

The Philippine military on Tuesday cautioned government negotiators against entering potential oil and gas agreements with China, warning that Beijing has not been a “reliable partner,” even as both sides begin initial discussions on possible cooperation.

AFP warns China ‘not a reliable partner’ amid possible oil, gas talks

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AFP warns China ‘not a reliable partner’ amid possible oil, gas talks

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 31, 2026 04:25 PM PHT

Read More:

AFP

China

joint oil and gas exploration

Roy Vincent Trinidad

Philippines

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

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