The United States Embassy in Manila said on Thursday it has been coordinating with the Philippine government for the entry of any US government aircraft into the country.
“The Embassy coordinates with the Philippine government to receive diplomatic clearance for all U.S. government aircraft that enter the Philippines. We refer you to Philippine authorities for further information,” Acting US Embassy spokesperson Stephen Dove said in a GMA News report.
Dove made the remarks after Senator Imee Marcos filed a resolution to investigate the reported unadvised landing of a US Air Force aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, however, said the aircraft had diplomatic clearance.
“[A] diplomatic clearance was issued to an aircraft of this type in relation to a bilateral defense cooperation activity,” DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.
Marcos, for her part, said the Manila International Airport Integrated Command and Control Center was not given any advisory on the arrival of the said aircraft.
She filed Senate Resolution 667, which questioned the purpose of the arrival of the Boeing C-17 strategic transport aircraft operated by the US military in Manila when its main destination was Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The aircraft landed at NAIA on June 26 at 8:08 am. and departed NAIA at 6:10 p.m. for Palawan. It reached Puerto Princesa at 7:08 p.m
The senator said the aircraft’s arrival in Manila raised several questions, especially since its “true” destination was Puerto Princesa, which also has an international airport
She also questioned why the aircraft stayed at NAIA for 10 hours before departing for Palawan.