UNFAZED by the demand of Muslim rebels to suspend oil-and-gas exploration activities in Mindanao, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Tuesday it will proceed with its plan to bid out potential oil-and-gas areas in Mindanao to investors. “We are closely coordinating with the Peace Panel on this issue,” Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. told reporters.

The DOE, he said, has the mandate to develop the country’s oil resources, and it will proceed with the fourth Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR-4) to meet that mandate.

Layug also gave assurances that there were no security threats to the current exploration activities being conducted by ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Philippines Inc. in the Sulu Sea under Service Contract 56.

Layug said Exxon has so far drilled four wells and completed seismic surveys in that area. At present, Exxon is studying the data it has collected, he added.

“The issues we face are not peculiar to the Philippines. They’re happening everywhere. So we are not surprised. What is important is that we pursue our exploration. We develop these resources for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Layug said.

Despite the demand of the Muslim rebels, the DOE said it has attracted a lot of interest from investors.