Chinese ship 'no cause for alarm' – Malacañang

Malacañang on Friday said China’s decision to send one of its biggest civilian maritime patrol ships into the South China Sea to “protect its rights and sovereignty" is no cause for alarm. “From what we understand, it’s a civilian ship that is on its way to Singapore. So it’s something that happens ordinarily…" deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing. Reports have it that the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration's Haixun 31 left China on Wednesday for Singapore, passing near the Paracel and Spratly island groups at the heart of disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines and other governments. The Haixun 31 is expected to monitor shipping, carry out surveying, inspect oil wells and "protect maritime security". It would also carry out inspections of foreign vessels anchored or operating in waters claimed by China. The Chinese ship is one of two civilian vessels of the same weight. It does not carry the heavy firepower of naval vessels but is one of China's most advanced maritime patrol ships with a weight displacement of 3,000 tons. It has a helicopter pad and can stay at sea for 40 days traveling at 18 knots. On Thursday, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III reiterated his administration’s vow to boost the military’s capability in defending the country from territorial dispute with its neighbors. — VS, GMA News