Philippine military allay Chinese fears on local legislators’ visit to Spratlys

MANILA, Philippines —The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that China has nothing to worry about with the visit of five Filipino lawmakers to the disputed Spratly islands Wednesday.

“I don’t believe there is any reason for anybody to be apprehensive of anything,” said AFP spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez.

He added that there is nothing “abnormal” with the visit of five legislators, including Akbayan Representative Walden Bello, to the disputed region in the West Philippine Sea, adding that “we treat that as an ordinary visit by legislators to local government units.”

“The legislators have their own job to do, I understand that in the context of legislation they are allowed to exercise their responsibility,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez added that the military was informed of the visit even as he said he was not aware of the details of the one-day trip. A group of reporters were also among the visitors.