FVR downplays China’s challenge on PHL aircraft over Spratlys

Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Friday downplayed Friday's incident in which China "challenged" a Philippine aircraft en route to Pag-Asa Island in the Spratlys, saying that was just a "test" worth ignoring.

"Do not forget that the Chinese are experts in diplomacy, but double speaking. It was not the counterpart of Secretary Lorenzana or the defense of [chief] of China talking. It's just a minor junior spokesman," he said during the launch of his new commemorative book. 

"And that's the way they are because that is what we call in leadership, as well as Philippine leadership – the "deniability." In this case, tine-test lang tayo kaya ignore it. Mabuhay ka Mr. Delfin Lorenzana, kaya natin ito," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte had appointed Ramos as a special envoy tasked to thaw Philippines-China relations amid tensions stemming from overlapping territorial claims the South China Sea.

But Ramos resigned, saying that he has done his job to "break the ice and to help restore the ties of goodwill and friendship." 

A Philippine aircraft carrying Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, military officials and members of the media was reportedly challenged four times on Friday while it was on its way to the Pag-Asa island.

However, Lorenzana said that it was a standard move by China.

"Automatic yun, protocol 'yan. We also replied that we are flying over Philippine territory...Sagutan lang yan, nothing untoward happened," he said.

But National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon said China's challenge on a Philippine aircraft by another country could be a basis for the sending of a note verbale or a diplomatic note.

"We mind and we respond appropriately. We have our challenges and answers, protocols. If it is bad enough, then that could be the basis for some note verbale." 

Duterte earlier this month said he would raise the Philippine flag on Pag-Asa island on Independence Day, although he pulled back citing that he values the country's relations with China. —LBG, GMA News