By Genalyn Kabiling
All ships from friendly countries are allowed to dock in the country’s ports, Malacañang said Tuesday following the reported presence of a Chinese research vessel in Davao City.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the docking of the Chinese ship was a "routine incident," as he accused people critical of such port visit of having “Sinophobia."
"All ships from countries with whom the Philippines maintain friendly ties, may dock at our ports. Chinese survey ships, just like US warships, may dock at our ports," Roque said in a statement.
"Only those afflicted with Sinophobia will find the routine incident objectionable,” he added.
A Chinese research vessel has reportedly been allowed to dock in the President's hometown Davao City Monday night to refurbish. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reportedly said Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua coordinated with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano about the docking of the ship.
The government earlier allowed a Chinese military aircraft to land in the Davao International Airport twice last month for refueling purpose. Some groups, however, were skeptical of the visit of China aircraft to the country amid Beijing’s excessive territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.