According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chair & Administrator, Wilma T. Eisma, while Chinese nationals were on board on a “leisure” cruise of Subic Bay, the vessel was found to be owned by a non-Chinese foreign businessman based in Subic.

Upon receiving reports of the sighting, Eisma immediately alerted Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and National Sec. Adviser Hermogenes Esperon over the alleged presence of a suspected Chinese Vessel that anchored off the coast of Subic Bay.

In a message to Subic Bay News, Eisma said she has apologized to Lorenzana and Esperon for the false alarm.

“I’m so sorry but it seems it’s a false alarm,” Eisma said in her text message to both Lorenzana and Esperon, “It’s a big yacht that has Chinese tourists on Board MV BALENA ll whose owner is based here in Subic.”

Eisma added “however, this is a good reason that we meet already so we can have protocols in place for special circumstances.”

SBMA has already issued a clarification in a press statement.

However, netizens still demand to determine the real purpose of the Chinese in going around the bay aboard the vessel.