Lease of planes is legal and internationally accepted process – Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 11): Lease of planes is legal and internationally accepted process – Palace

Malacanang on Friday defended the government’s plan to lease five planes from Japan to guard the West Philippine Sea, a move that reportedly alarmed China.

”This a legal and internationally accepted process of acquisition by governments,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told the Malacanang media.

Coloma said it is the duty of the government to continuously develop the country’s capabilities in ensuring the safety and security of the nation.

”Lease or other forms of acquisition from regional partners and allies is but a usual activity of any country,” Coloma said.

Coloma said the Philippines is united with many countries that have expressed their position on the importance of freedom of navigation and freedom of over flight in the WPS.

”It is important for the international trade and commerce and for achieving the progressive livelihood,” Coloma said.

Coloma clarified that the Philippines has no intention to create trouble “because our guidelines is diplomatic and peaceful resolution of the South China Sea issue.”

China, one of the claimant countries in the disputed WPS or South China Sea, has conducted massive land reclamation in the WPS, including the Philippines-claimed Mischief Reef or Panganiban reef.

In response, the Philippines has lodged a diplomatic protest against China at the international arbitral tribunal.

Aside from the Philippines and China, other claimant countries in the South China Sea include Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=865747