“When we cross the South China Sea, we will be traveling on our own to… and almost near Shanghai,” said Arturo Valdez, the expedition leader and a former transportation undersecretary. China was part of the itinerary of the first balangay voyage but the all-Filipino crew decided to spend Christmas in the Philippines after being away from home for a long time. For one, the South China Sea can be navigated by any person or country because it remains an open sea that does not require a permit or other for safe passage. For another, negotiations have begun for a framework Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, with China and the Philippines among those that have professed compliance, when and if such an agreement comes to pass. Presumably, Valdez is not expecting any problem from Chinese officials over a voyage that, hopefully, will again show Filipinos at their seafaring best.

Source: Manila Times May 26, 2017 15:56 UTC