2nd Chinese plane that landed in Davao had to refuel —Roque

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Sunday said the Chinese plane spotted landing in Davao City on Saturday had to refuel.

"Same as first. Refuelling stop," he said in a message sent to reporters.

"All licenses, permits and protocols issued and observed," he added.

The plane was the second Chinese military aircraft in three weeks to land at the Davao International Airport.

It landed past noon on Saturday amid the supposed militarization of disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea.

Spotted at Davao city airport today (June 23) is a Chinese Military aircraft (21047). pic.twitter.com/sxpQ9YaVWt

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) June 23, 2018

Earlier this month, an aircraft belonging to the Chinese military also landed at the same airport.

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 confirmed that the plane landed but only for refueling. 

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, Go said.

"The same courtesy is extended to Philippine government aircrafts when technical stops need to be undertaken," he added. —KG, GMA News