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A helicopter of the Chinese navy approached the Netherlands’ warship while on its way to Manila, the Dutch ship’s commanding officer said on Friday.
“We were approached by a helicopter, but it was really professional on both sides. They just came to see who we were and left again,” Commander Rodger De Wit told reporters. “They asked who we were and we replied. That was enough.”
The Dutch warship, His Netherlands Majesty’s Ship de Ruyter, arrived at Manila Port as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Netherlands.
According to a report by Vonne Aquino on “24 Oras,” the frigate is equipped for anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare and carries advanced radar systems capable of detecting stealth aircraft, ballistic missiles, missile launchers, and close-in weapon systems.
Amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Dutch Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts emphasized support for international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling on the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.
When asked if the Netherlands was open to entering into a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines, Geraedts replied, “The stability and security in this region is also important for the Netherlands… that’s why we are considering all options, and I think the frigate visit is the first step.”
The Royal Netherlands Navy is scheduled to conduct interoperability activities and visit counterparts in the Philippine Navy. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/VBL, GMA News
