Manila, April 12 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday assured that any potential joint oil and gas exploration with China, or any other country, will strictly adhere to the Philippine Constitution and existing laws, amid renewed discussions on energy cooperation.

In a statement, the DFA emphasized that the Philippines retains sovereign rights over natural resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.

"Any decision to pursue, structure, or conclude an agreement on oil and gas cooperation, with China or any other foreign government, will be made solely in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and the country's laws, jurisprudence and regulations, and in full assertion of its sovereign prer...