Esperon on China bombers in S. China Sea: Should we probe? Yes. Should we protest? No

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. sees no reason for the government to lodge a protest against China's deployment of strategic bombers in the South China Sea's Paracel Islands.

The recent activity of China should not be a cause for alarm as the country is "not at war with China," said Esperon on Wednesday.

Echoing the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Esperon also said that there was no point in questioning China's actions in the disputed sea.

"Not to defend the landing there, it is an incident that is part of actually a drill for landing. But the purpose for that must be looked into, it is exactly that, training," Esperon said at a weekly forum held in Malate, Manila.

"Was it aimed at us? Was it aimed at any country na kailangan ba magprotesta tayo?... Shall we lodge a protest against that? Palagay ko hindi," he added.

China's Air Force also announced that it had landed a bomber on its largest base in the South China Sea, located on Woody Island in the Paracel group.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative had reported that the H-6K long-range bomber has a radius of nearly 1,000 nautical miles, which means that bombers taking off from Wood Island could cover the entire South China Sea. — MDM, GMA News