Telco: Welcome messages from China, Vietnam nothing unusual

Smart Communications, Inc. spokesperson Ramon Isberto said there is nothing unusual with the welcome messages from China and Vietnam that Philippine government officials and other visitors received in their mobile phones during their visit to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Tuesday.

Isberto said the messages came from Smart’s partner mobile operators in China and Vietnam. 

“Yung mga nakita nila, those were the roaming welcome messages sent out by our partners in China and Vietnam. Mayroong signal in that area, particularly in that Pag-asa Island kaya na-pick up nila ang roaming message,” Isberto said during the Laging Handa press conference on Wednesday.  

(What they saw are roaming welcome messages sent out by our partners in China and Vietnam. There are telecom signals in that area particularly in Pag-asa Island so they picked up the roaming message)

He added that travellers with cellphones set to roaming usually receive welcome messages or greetings once they set foot in a foreign land. 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and some reporters received “Welcome to China” and “Welcome to Vietnam” messages when they arrived at Pag-asa Island for the inauguration of a beaching ramp, which would aid in the delivery of materials for repairing island facilities.  

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Felimon Santos Jr., Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay and AFP Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria were also present during the inauguration.