MULTILATERAL MARITIME DRILL. The formation of ships from the Philippines, US and France during the multilateral maritime exercise" (MME) of this year's "Balikatan" drills. The AFP Western Command on Monday (April 29, 2024) reported that the ships were tailed by two Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy vessels with bow numbers 793 and 167. (Photo courtesy of AFP Western Command)
MANILA – Two more Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted on Monday tailing the Filipino, American and French warships taking part in the "multilateral maritime exercise" (MME) of this year's "Balikatan" drills.
Western Command (Wescom) spokesperson Captain Ariel Joseph Coloma, in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), said the PLAN ships were detected some four to five nautical miles as the participants in the MME were sailing some 33 nautical miles northwest of Quezon, Palawan.
These PLAN ships, with bow numbers 793 and 167, were reported at around 9 a.m., he added.
Coloma added that the MME, which started on April 25, was still ongoing and on its last day.
"For today's event, meron po (there will be) gunnery exercise, cross-deck operations, detect and engage, and photo exercise," he said.
Participating ships in the MME include the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the USS Navy's landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and French Navy's Floreal-class frigate, FS Vendémiaire (FFH-734).
On Sunday, another PLAN ship with bow number 578 was detected while another one with bow number 793 was spotted on Saturday.
The Wescom spokesperson earlier said they were unbothered by the presence of the Chinese ships as long as they were monitoring and reporting its presence.
"As long (as) we continue to monitor and report them, we are in control of the situation, and besides tuloy-tuloy pa rin naman ang exercises (and besides the exercises are still ongoing), " he added.
Chinese research vessel seen off Catanduanes
As this developed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it has been monitoring the unauthorized presence of a Chinese-flagged research vessel, "Shen Kuo" in the vicinity of Viga, Catanduanes.
The vessel was first sighted on April 25 around 60.9 nautical miles east off Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay.
"Per latest reports from Tactical Operations Wing, Southern Luzon (TOWSOL) which conducted maritime patrol (MARPAT) on April 27, it was observed that the vessel was lying to in the area and had no personnel on the main deck," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.
Several attempts to contact the vessel through regular radio channels were unsuccessful, indicating a lack of responsiveness or willingness to engage.
"The AFP remains vigilant, monitoring any unauthorized research vessel in our maritime domain. We have already tasked nearby vessels for enhanced surveillance and reporting," he added.
Trinidad also said the AFP is coordinating with relevant agencies to address the unauthorized presence investigate any illegal activities within the country's exclusive economic zone and ensure the security and protection of Philippine waters. (PNA)
