MANILA -- Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go clarified that another Chinese aircraft spotted at the Davao City airport on Saturday was out for a refuel, and has undergone the proper domestic procedure.
"Uulitin ko lang po (I will just reiterate), the same (procedure), (it) was received, processed by relevant Philippine agencies and for refueling lang po ito (this is only for refueling). Same courtesy is also given to us 'pag tayo naman ang nagre-refuel (whenever we need to refuel)," he said in an event in Taguig City.
Go, however, said he is not privy to the details if the plane was the same aircraft that landed in Davao City two weeks ago.
"Hindi ko na po masasagot if the same talaga, pero (I can't say if it is the same aircraft, but) the same courtesy, the same purpose,” he said.
Photos of the latest landing circulated in social media on Saturday afternoon.
An ABS-CBN report quoted Tactical Operations Group 11 of the Philippine Air Force as saying that the Chinese plane landed at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City at around 12:18 p.m. and left at 12:59 p.m.
On June 8, an IL-76 transport plane of the China People's Liberation Army Air Force landed at the same airport.
The said plane landing drew flak but Go was among the first officials who issued a clarification that it was done in coordination with relevant offices.
Go said "technical stops" by foreign governments and commercial planes, including those for refueling purposes, are closely coordinated by relevant government agencies, following domestic procedure and in consideration of existing agreements. (PNA)
