This has reference to a news item published on today’s issue (September 06, 2008), of your newspaper Philippine STAR on Page 6, that clouded the true reason why the USNS John Mc Donnel entered Philippine territory.
For your information, in my capacity as Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) I personally requested the assistance of the United States Pacific Command in providing a survey ship to help us locate our downed C-130 cargo plane in the seabed of Davao Gulf.
Thus, the real intent of USNS John Mc Donnel’s presence in Philippine waters is to help PAF locate remnants of C-130 cargo plane Nr 4593.
Insinuating that the vessel was here to spy on us is unfair, to say the least. In fact, it’s an impolite, ungrateful and unfriendly way of saying thank you after the US ship was able to locate the plane’s wreckage.
Good day and Mabuhay! — Lt Gen Pedrito S. Cadungog, AFP