Senator wants US explanation on Tubbataha Reef incident

Senate agriculture committee chairman Senator Francis Pangilinan

MANILA, Philippines — A senator is urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to demand an explanation from the United States on its military’s alleged “questionable” incursions into Philippine territory.

“First it was a US drone. Now it’s a minesweeper,” Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said in a statement on Friday.

Pangilinan was referring to an unarmed US areial target drone  found in Masbate early this month and the recent US Navy warship that ran aground the protected Tubbataha Reef off Palawan Thursday.

“What is a minesweeper doing in our reef? Why are they moving freely over our territorial waters and airspace? What are they doing in our backyard?” the senator asked.

“These are disturbing incidents requiring answers. The Department of Foreign Affairs must ask the United States government to explain,” he said.

Pangilinan noted that the US government was “sketchy” providing answers in both incidents.

“Friends and allies must exercise good faith by coming clean,” the senator added.