Reconsideration of suspended oil search in WPS sought

MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) has sought the reconsideration of the suspended oil exploration activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said on Tuesday.

The statement came after oil and gas firm PXP Energy Corp. was directed to put on hold its exploration activities in its service contracts in WPS until it secures clearance from the Security, Justice, and Peace Coordinating Council (SJPCC), a government cluster overseeing political, diplomatic, and national security concerns.

“The DOE is still waiting for the decision on its requests for reconsideration,” acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in an online press briefing.

The DOE, in an order dated April 6, ordered the suspension of PXP Energy’s exploration activities for Service Contracts 72 and 75, two sites off Palawan province, pending the SJPCC’s approval.

The clearance from SJPCC is a pre-condition to any oil exploration in WPS, given the “political, diplomatic and national security implications of any activity” in the strategic waters.

Maritime expert Jay Batongbacal, in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, said the Philippines is “losing” after the DOE ordered the suspension of exploration activities.

Batongbacal said the move is an indication that “China is seriously out to prevent any petroleum exploration and development by the Philippines within its own waters.”

Andanar explained that the oil search was deferred in compliance with the SJPCC’s decision.

“The survey was held in abeyance because of the decision of the Security, Justice, and Peace [Coordinating] Cluster or SJPC[C] in the Cabinet,” he said.

Andanar, nevertheless, said the DOE had already asked for the immediate resumption of activities to explore and exploit resources in WPS.

He also cited the DOE’s argument that a geographical survey in WPS is a “perfectly legitimate activity.”

“The DOE already asked the SJPC to reconsider the decision and to immediately allow the survey. The DOE sought reconsideration on the ground that under international law, a geophysical survey is a perfectly legitimate activity in any disputed area,” Andanar said.