Lorenzana on gun pointing incident by China vs. Navy vessel: Sinusubukan lang ano reaction natin

For Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, China did not intend to harm the BRP Conrado Yap (PS39) when its warship had pointed a radar gun at the Philippine Navy vessel in February of this year. 

"Itong latest na radar gun eh 'di naman siguro nila gustong saktan or harm our... parang ano lang ito sinusubukan lang nila kung ano ang reaction natin," Lorenzana said at a Laging Handa press briefing on Tuesday.

Lorenzana added that Chinese vessels challenging Philippine vessels traversing areas of the West Philippine Sea was common in the region. He believes China would not attack Philippine vessels and aircrafts passing through the area.

"Sabi ko naman sa ating Navy at Air Force, hindi naman siguro nila papaputukan ng missiles 'yung ating mga barko at eroplano. Ito lang ay katulad ng kanilang ginagawa tuwing tayo ay dadaan diyan sa West Philippine Sea within our EEZ at tsina-challenge tayo na ang sabi eh 'You are traversing Chinese territory,'" Lorenzana said. 

"Ang sinasagot naman ng ating barko at eroplano ay 'we are traversing within our EEZ.' So sagutan lang ng sagutan ang mga 'yan. Every time na dumaan ang ating barko at eroplano, nagkakaroon ng ganyang exchange," he added. 

The Defense chief, however, admitted that the pointing of the radar gun toward the Philippine vessel was "offensive." 

"It's offensive also bakit kailangan nilang itutok 'yung kanilang acquisition radars sa ating eroplano o barko," Lorenzana said. 

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom) confirmed the "harassment" incident which took place last February 17. 

"The PS39 also noticed that the gun control director, an equipment that gives information in obtaining a fire control solution of said PLAN vessel, was pointed at them," Wescom commander Vice Admiral Rene Medina had said. 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the government already lodged a diplomatic protest against China over the incident. —KG, GMA News