MANILA — There is nothing to be alarmed about the recent visit of Chinese planes and ships in Davao City.
This, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo in an interview.
“There is no cause for alarm sapagkat hindi lang naman ang China ang bansang bumibisita rito (because China is not the only country that visits us). Siguro, naha-highlight lang natin yung China because of the reasons na sinasabi natin na may (Maybe the matter about China is just highlighted because of the reasons such as the WPS [West Philippine Sea] issue but ang mahalagang bagay na dapat ilagay natin sa isip natin ay ito ay bahagi ng isang (the real matter that we should remember is that this is a part of an) international convention na kahit sinong bansa na kung nangangailangan (that any country in need of), especially refurbishing, allowed naman po yan kagaya ng ating bansa nangangailangan nating mag-refuel, nangangailangan tayo ng (refurbishing) sa ibang bansa pinapayagan din tayo (That is allowed. Just like us, when we need to re-fuel or refurbish in another country, we are allowed to do so),” Arevalo said.
What is needed is that the requesting party or country is able to acquire a diplomatic clearance, Arevalo added.
On July 16, Chinese vessel, Yuan Wang 3, docked in Davao City for replenishment.
The above-mentioned ship arrived 8:14 p.m. Monday and stayed in the country until July 19.
“They are here for replenishment as granted by the diplomatic clearance issues by higher authorities. This is a routine ship visit similar to any other foreign ship wishing to call on our ports,” Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Cmdr. Jonathan Zata said.
“It’s completely routine, nothing unusual about the visit. We had Chinese warships calling on our ports in the past the same as with any other warships from other countries,” he added.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, echoed Zata’s remarks.
“Yes. We know about it. The Chinese Ambassador (Zhao Jianhua) wrote to the SFA (Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter) Cayetano that it would be docking in Davao to refurbish and it was allowed to do so,” Lorenzana said.
The ship is used for tracking and support of satellites and ballistic missiles. Yuan Wang 3 was launched in 1994 and delivered in 1995. It is reportedly capable of speeds up to 20 knots and has a range of 18,000 nautical miles. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
