A distinct likely prospect now is the signing next month of a Philippines-China framework agreement for joint exploration for hydrocarbons, for oil and/or natural gas, in the West Philippine Sea, which will reduce or put an end to chances of conflict in the area. The area of the waters within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone on the South China Sea has been renamed the West Philippine Sea. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has been undertaking pragmatic diplomacy and hopes to visit Beijing in September most likely to sign an agreement to drill an exploration oil or gas well in the area, which we believe could lead to substantial hydrocarbon discoveries which will reduce Philippine dependence on our heavy imports of crude oil from Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf or Arab Gulf to the Arabs.

De Vencia, J. C. Jr. (2018, August 19). Likely Philippines-China joint exploration for oil and/or natural gas in the South China Sea. Manila Bulletin, p. 16.