DAVAO CITY -- Top defense officials were impressed with the Chinese warships which made a goodwill visit to Davao City.
“These are like U.S. warships, but newer.” Says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte in visiting the lead ship of the three-vessel group which docked in Davao yesterday (April 30) and is set to leave tomorrow (May 2).
The Presidential party came on board the People’s Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer Chung Chun who is part of PLAN’s Task Group 150. The other visiting vessels include the guided-missile frigate Jin Zhou and the replenishment ship Chao Hu.
“Walang pinagkaiba, parehong bagong technology.” (No difference, they had the same new technology) says Lorenzana comparing the vessels to American warships whom he also visited.
The defense secretary also brushed aside fears that the Chinese warships are a show of force for many Filipinos as the two countries are involved in a dispute over islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
“The visit is to foster deeper understanding between two countries and cooperation.” Lorenzana said.
Meanwhile he added that the Philippines will soon have a modern warship within the term of President Duterte.
The Philippines have placed orders to South Korea for two modern frigates as part of its modernization program.
Philippine Navy chief Vice-Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said the visit gave them the opportunity to look at recent technologies particularly those used by other navies.
Vice-Admiral Mercado said the weapons of the Chinese warships are more state-the-art than what he have seen in the recent visit of Russian warships.
“We were able to look at their weapons. It educates us. If we are to purchase, at least we know what weapons we will acquire.” Vice Admiral Mercado said.
The Chinese destroyer and frigate are armed with anti-ship and air defense missiles complemented by sophisticated radars.
Meanwhile President Duterte noticed the interiors of the Chinese warships likening it to a hotel.
“It’s very impressive.” The President said.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1541493654743/chinese-warships-impress-ph-officials
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