Smart explains 'Welcome to China,' 'Welcome to Vietnam' texts in Pag-asa Island

Smart Communications Inc. explained that its cellular site on Pag-asa Island is currently down, which is why officials and reporters who visited the area on Tuesday were instead greeted by texts from partner telcos welcoming them to China and Vietnam.

According to Smart spokesperson Ramon Isberto, the cellular site of the company in the area has been down for several months, and repairmen have been experiencing difficulty in getting there.

"We have a cell site there in Pag-asa Island, but it came down for several months and it's been very difficult for us to send a repair there because you just cannot go there," he said in a phone interview.

This comes after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, accompanied by reporters, received text messages welcoming them to China and Vietnam

"Nothing unusual about having a signal from a Vietnamese and Chinese mobile operator on Pag-asa Island. Their cell sites are on nearby islands. Over water, the signal goes a long way," explained Isberto.

Isberto said Smart's cell site is expected to be up and running by the end of the week.

"It's down now but it will be up within the week kasi nakarating na 'yung tao namin doon. Mahirap talaga pumunta doon, you cannot go there without military provision," he said.

"Normally we try to pick it up on military vessels either airplane or boats, kaya lang for the past several times naba-bump off kami," he added.

The site, Isberto said, services the Filipino community in the area which is also home to a school. It also caters to military personnel deployed in the area. — LA, GMA News