MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines is still confirming reports regarding Chinese jammers reportedly installed on Mischief and Fiery Cross Reefs on Spratly Islands.
“None has been confirmed by us. All reports has been coming from the US and we have not received any formal communications to that effect. So far our regular patrols in the WPS (West Philippine Sea) have not reported any incidence of jamming,” he said Thursday.
“We will confirm using our resources if there really are jammers and if so what kind: to disrupt communications or disrupt weapon systems,” the DND chief stressed.
Lorenzana said jammers come in small and large sizes which could be used to jam communications, while the more sophisticated ones could be utilized to disrupt weapon systems.
Some jammers could also be fitted in buildings and ships, he added.
“It could be turned on or off depending on the mission. Even if you have a sensor you will not know if it’s not turned on,” he said in Filipino.
“I suspect the US Navy ships received the jamming signals. What’s the purpose of China’s jammers? Because they know US Navy ships are armed,” he added. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
