China’s bomber aircraft landing on the islands of South China Sea brings concern to the country, but this should not be seen as a threat, Malacañang said on Monday.
China’s move is “not considered to be a threat to the Philippines’s security right now because of the newfound friendship of the two countries,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, adding that President Rodrigo Duterte views it the same way as he does and “sees no immediate threat.”
But despite such statement, Roque said that “even if we don’t feel that China is a security threat to us, for as long as their weapons are there, there could be a mistake of the discharge in these weapons.”
He added, “Any threat of the use of force in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes which happens also to be the sea lane where our oil supply passes through and bulk of our exports and imports pass through is a reason for concern to us.”
Roque stressed that the Philippine government continues to respond diplomatically to any action that could risk the country’s territories in the disputed region.
DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 05/ 21 /18