Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said yesterday’s unveiling of the country’s first missile system was not intentionally scheduled to coincide with the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Chinese leader made his first state visit in the country on Nov. 20-21 amid warming relations pursued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte despite the dispute over claims on the West Philippine Sea. Mr. Lorenzana said the unveiling of Spike Extended Range missiles, which were acquired from Israel, only aims to show the improvement of the Navy.

Ferreras, V. A. C. (2018, November 22). Defense chief says unveiling of missiles on Xi’s arrival ‘coincidental’. BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.