Chinese warships crossing Philippine waters are an “annoying” matter for Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who did not mince words about the latest challenge to Philippine sovereignty by China when he questioned the intention of these vessels. “I think this is not innocent anymore because this has been happening repeatedly,” Lorenzana said in an interview on Friday. “[They] can pass through but why don’t they inform us? What’s too difficult about telling us, ‘Hey, we’re passing by.’ That’s all there is to it for us. Why the secrecy?”

Gascon, M. (2019, August 17). China warships in PH waters irk DND chief. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A5.