Phl to Taiwan: Recto bank ours

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang maintained yesterday that Recto Bank off Palawan is within Philippine territory and oil exploration in the area is non-negotiable with other claimants to the nearby disputed Spratly Islands.

“The Recto Bank is not part of the Spratlys. So under international law, Recto Bank is an integral continental shelf of Palawan. So our position has always been the same. If it’s disputed we are willing to talk to you, but if it’s not disputed, what is ours is ours,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Taiwan protested on Tuesday the plan of the Philippines to explore oil and gas in disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) where the Taiwanese have also staked their sovereignty over several islets and reefs.

The Philippines considers Taiwan as part of China under its one-China policy. Manila only maintains economic relations with Taipei.

The oil- and gas-rich Spratly Islands is being claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan China, Vietnam and Malaysia. “Recto Bank (also known as Reed Bank) is part of the Spratly Islands and we reject any claim or occupation by any means of the islands and the surrounding waters,” the Taiwanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the Philippines is planning to accept bidding to explore and drill for oil and gas in the Reed Bank.

“Our position is the same regardless of whoever the claimants are. Recto Bank is part of our territory,” Lacierda said.

He said the Palace also agreed with the Department of National Defense’s statement that “the Philippines has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Kalayaan Island Group,” the area being claimed by the Philippines in the disputed Spratlys.