AFP Westmincom now has reservations about Chinese warships in PHL

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) now has reservations about allowing Chinese warships to pass Philippine territory due to lack of coordination.

“Meron na tayong ibang reservations,” said Wesmincom commander Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday.

“Kasi pinapatay nila ang kanilang automatic navigation system. Kasi hindi rin sila sumasagot tuwing tumatawag tayo sa kanila,” he added.

Lt. Gen. Sobejana: May ilan po na pinapatay nila ang kanilang automatic navigation system. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

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Earlier, two warships were reportedly spotted in Sibutu Strait near Tawi-Tawi in July while three were monitored in August.

According to Sobejano, they are expecting coordination to also ensure the safety of the Chinese ships crossing the territory.

“Itong Sibutu Strait, dito dumadaan ang malalaking barko from one country to another. Hindi naman natin tinututulan ang pagdaan nila and we made sure nga 'yung safety ng kanilang pagdaan,” he said.

Sobejano said the passage of these Chinese warships is not innocent.

“Ang innocent passage naman ay defined kung dadaan sila sa naturang lugar, in straight line. Ibig sabihin hindi na sila mag-swerve pa towards the territory of one country, except siguro kung may inclement weather,” he said.

Sobejana agreed that ‘spying’ is one of the motives that they are considering in China’s ‘not innocent passage.’

“It’s hard to speculate pero kasama na 'yun sa ine-expect natin na kanilang intention,” he said.

According to Sobejana, Westmincom has entered into in a trilateral agreement with Indonesia and Malaysia’s armed forces to set up maritime command centers to reduce maritime crimes.

“Binibigyan po natin ng priority itong border natin with Malaysia and Indonesia kung saan diyan dumadaan ang foreign ships including nga 'yung warship ng China,” he added. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News