PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte boarded on Monday, May 1, one of the three Chinese warship vessels docked in Sasa Wharf, Davao City, citing that it was "very impressive" as he looks forward for a joint naval exercise between the two countries to strengthen maritime relations.
Speaking before the media, Duterte expressed his admiration on the state-of-the-art fleet of the Chinese government, armed with advance weaponry and modern facilities he discovered upon inspecting the Chinese fleet.
"[The ship is] very impressive. It's clean and even all carpeted inside. It's like a hotel actually," Duterte said after he toured the ship with Deputy Comamnder Rear Admiral Shen Hao of East China Sea Fleet of the People Liberation Army Navy and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua.
Some top military officials like Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronal Joseph Mercado and Eastern Mindanao Command Deputy General Gilbert Gapay were also present during the event.
The Chinese vessels include guided-missile destroyer Chang Chun, the guided-missile frigate Jin Zhou and replenishment ship Chao Hu which will dock here until today.
According to Duterte, the three-day goodwill visit is part of the confidence building between two nations amid territorial dispute.
"[This is] to show that we are friends that is why I welcomed them here I was the one who asked [them to] ‘show me your warships’," he added.
When asked if there is a possibility of a joint military exercise, he was quick to say that he is willing to undertake such in order to strengthen maritime cooperation and understanding through naval diplomacy.
"Yes, I said I agree (for a joint exercise) here in Mindanao maybe in the Sulu sea," he said. (JCR)