US, China must inform PHL first before engaging in any activities in WPS -- Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20): US, China must inform PHL first before engaging in any activities in WPS -- Lorenzana

While the underwater drone snatching incident off Subic Bay, Zambales was not discussed during Monday night's meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they will remind the US and China to seek permissions first from the Filipino government before engaging in any activities in the West Philippine Sea.

"One of these days, we will caution them and tell them to seek our permission before engaging in any activities in the West Philippine Sea as it is our area," he said in Filipino.

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 DND chief that the incident occurred well within the Philippines' 200 miles exclusive economic zone, an area which the country has sole purview.

In the same vein, Lorenzana said they also did not discuss the purported installation of anti-aircraft guns and other weapons in China's artificial islands which is located in disputed parts of the Spratly Islands.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=949724