Solons: No Ayungin deal ever Estrada brothers back Erap vs. China claims; PCG wary of ‘informers’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vince Lopez

TWO senators on Monday defended their father, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, from claims that he made a deal with the Chinese government to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

“During my phone conversation today with former Senator Orly Mercado, who held the position of Defense Secretary during my father’s tenure, he confirmed that there was ‘no agreement or promise’ whatsoever made to the Chinese government,” Senator Jinggoy Estrada said in a statement Monday.

In a previous interview with CNN Philippines, Chinese diplomatic sources claimed Manila promised Beijing that it would tow away the outpost.

“Any assertion of such a commitment contradicts the rationale behind the gov- ernment’s decision at that time to station BRP Sierra Madre at the shoal. This move was primarily undertaken to assert our country’s claim and establish a presence in the area,” Estrada continued. Beijing asked Manila to tow away the “illegally grounded” ship after the Chinese Coast Guard fired a water cannon at Filipino vessels on a resupply mission to the outpost last Aug. 5.

In response, President Marcos said that the ship would stay and