Senator Francis Pangilinan has filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into a confidential agreement between the Philippines and China regarding access to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine naval vessel in the South China Sea. Referred to as the “Ayungin Deal” or “Provisional Understanding,” the agreement reportedly covers rotation and resupply missions to the ship, which serves as a Philippine military outpost. Pangilinan aims to determine the details of this understanding and its potential impact on Philippine sovereignty and national security. The Senator’s resolution, filed Monday, seeks clarification on the parameters of the deal and whether it compromises the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. The investigation will aim to uncover the full extent of the agreement and the reasoning behind its negotiation with China. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions in the region and concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness.