Statement of the National Security Adviser
Secretary Eduardo M. Año
Manila, Philippines | 20 April 2024
The persistent discourse about alleged, unsubstantiated or imaginary promises; of secret non-binding gentleman agreement or deals has been used to create distractions, divisions, and conflict among our people.
The President has been very clear: This administration is not aware of any secret or gentleman agreement and if there was such done under a previous administration, the same has been rescinded.
Moreover, any such agreement, if proven to be true, are inimical to the national interest and the Constitution. If there is any such agreement, it is the responsibility of those responsible for it to explain it before the Filipino people but it is not and will never be binding upon this administration.
We call on all Filipinos to stand their ground and push back against these malign and corrosive narratives that seek to undermine the national interest. We should not fall into a trap which clearly seeks to sow division in our country and weaken our resolve in asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.
