RP gov’t defies China, to bid out 15 oil, gas areas
By Michaela P. del Callar 02/28/2012Ignoring China’s protest, the Department of Energy (DoE) will continue to offer 15 maritime offshore territories for oil exploration, including two areas near the province of Palawan being claimed by Beijing.
Energy Secretary Jose Almendras said the Philippine government hopes to award the service contracts to winning bidders next month amid opposition from China, which asserted that two of the 15 areas are part of the disputed South China Sea.
“We offered these service contracts which the Republic of the Philippines believes are within its territorial claims,” Almendras told reporters at the sidelines of the 1st European Union-Philippines Energy Meeting.
China maintains “indisput-able sovereignty” and historical rights over the vast sea that straddles one of the world’s vital.... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120228hed2.html
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