Palace: DOE seeks end to suspension of oil exploration activities in West Philippine Sea

The Department of Energy appealed to a Cabinet cluster to reconsider its decision to halt oil exploration surveys in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said Tuesday.

At a Palace briefing, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said the DOE had sought reconsideration from the Security, Justice, and Peace Cluster (SJPC).

“That survey was held in abeyance because of the decision of the security, justice, and peace cluster or SJPC in the Cabinet. The DOE already asked the SJPC to reconsider the decision to allow the survey,” he said.

“The DOE sought the reconsideration on the grounds that under international law, a geophysical survey is a perfectly legitimate activity in any disputed area,” he added.

Andanar made the statement when asked about the criticism of maritime expert Jay Batongbacal against the supposed order to suspend oil exploration activities in the WPS. — DVM, GMA News