Alleged Chinese ship off Subic just a cruise yacht: DND chief

FILE: EXERCISE RESTRAINT AROUND PH WATERS. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana appeals to foreign nations to exercise restraint while their warships pass through the West Philippine Sea and waters near the country, during the media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (June 10, 2019). Lorenzana said any imprudent behavior could lead to an international incident or conflict, as he cited the two incidents between US, China and Russian warships in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea in October 2018 and in June 2019. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The alleged Chinese ship, which docked off Subic Bay, is a former Japanese vessel acquired and converted into a yacht by a businessman based in the area, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Sunday.

“Upon verification by our law enforcement agencies: the Coast Guard and the PNP (Philippine National Police) maritime unit, it was found out that the vessel is actually a yacht owned by a businessman based in Subic,” Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The ship was seen anchored off Subic Bay early Sunday.

Further verification showed that the ship used to be the Japanese research-and-survey vessel Tankai Maru, he said.

“It has been bought and converted into a motor yacht. It caters to tourists that are already in Subic,” Lorenzana added.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator, lawyer Amy Eisma, also confirmed that the yacht is registered in Subic as the Balena II.

“She also said that she and the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) and PNP maritime units will coordinate for better monitoring of these cruise ships/recreational marine vessels,” Lorenzana said.