Chinese military aircraft lands in Davao City

The Duterte administration has confirmed that a Chinese military aircraft (above) landed in Davao last week for refueling. Photo: Gabriel de Cadiz

Amid the supposed militarization of disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea, an aircraft belonging to the Chinese military was spotted to have landed at Davao City International Airport last week.

In a Facebook post, military historian and defense analyst Jose Antonio Custodio shared a screenshot of the aircraft, an IL-76 military transport plane, which reportedly belongs to the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Special Assistant to the President Bong Go on Sunday confirmed the landing of the Chinese military aircraft, but only for refueling.

"The request for landing was received, processed and cleared by relevant Philippine Government agencies. The landing was requested for the specific purpose of refuelling and was granted and given with specific conditions for compliance by the requesting party," he said in a statement.

Go said technical stops of foreign government and commercial planes such as for purposes of refueling are coordinated closely by concerned agencies of the Philippine government following established domestic procedure and considering existing agreements.

"The same courtesy is extended to Philippine government aircrafts when technical stops need to be undertaken," Go said.

"The Department of National Defense, Department of Foreign Affairs and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines—and other relevant agencies—work together to ensure that requesting parties comply with our domestic procedures and requirements," he added.

For his part, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said the landing of the aircraft for refurbishment was "legal."

"That being the case, it’s perfectly a legal reason to land in our airports—with appropriate permissions of course from appropriate government agencies," he said in a separate statement.

"That is a privilege also accorded to us in other countries following the same protocols," he added. —Erwin Colcol/KG/BM, GMA News