Drone snatching incident could increase likelihood of 'miscalcuations' between US, China -- Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): Drone snatching incident could increase likelihood of 'miscalcuations' between US, China -- Lorenzana

The recent underwater drone snatching involving US and People's Republic of China naval units `could increase the likelihood of "miscalcuations" between the two nations.

This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a statement Monday.

The snatching incident took place 50 nautical miles northwest off Subic Bay, Zambales as the USN Bowditch was about to retrieve the underwater drone nighttime of Dec. 15 when a Chinese submarine tender arrived in the area and snagged the American device.

The area is well within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) which Lorenzana said is very troubling.

"Not only does it increase the likelihood of miscalculations that could lead to open confrontation very near the Philippine mainland but the commission of activities other than innocent passage which impinge upon the right of the Philippines over the resources in its EEZ are violations of the Philippine rights over its EEZ," he added.

And while refusing to comment on the matter between the United States and China, the DND chief said representatives from the two countries are most fitting to give explanation.

"So I think it would be best that the specifics of this incident come from the relevant authorities of both countries," he added.

Lorenzana also believes the United States and China can reach an amicable resolution to prevent any further incidents from taking place.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=949509