UNWANTED VISITOR A Chinese frigate is spotted while the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the United States Indo-Pacific Command and the French Navy conduct a joint Maritime Search and Rescue exercise in the West Philippine Sea. as part of the Balikatan Exercise 39-2024’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise. AFP PHOTO
Another vessel of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was spotted Sunday near the "Balikatan" multilateral maritime exercise (MME) area off Palawan waters.
The PLAN vessel (bow number 578) was spotted around 9 a.m. between seven and eight nautical miles of the MME flotilla, sailing in the northern part of Palawan as of this posting, Western Command (Wescom) spokesperson Capt. Ariel Joseph Coloma said in an interview.
"I cannot speak for them but we are monitoring them, and we record then we report whatever our ships are monitoring in the area," he said when asked what the Chinese vessel was doing.
Coloma said the first PLAN vessel (bow number 793) spotted Saturday was no longer in the vicinity.
Filipino, American and French naval vessels conducted a search and rescue training with photo exercise Sunday.
The ships are the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602); USS Navy's landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49); and French Navy's Floreal-class frigate FS Vendémiaire (FFH-734).
Coloma said they were not bothered by the presence of the uninvited ship as there was no provocation.
"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.
The MME started April 25 and will end April 29.
No knowledge
Last Saturday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. disputed the claims of Chinese officials on two new deals with the Philippines last year to lessen tensions on the disputed territory.
"The DND is not aware of, nor is it a party to, any internal agreement with China on Ayungin Shoal since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office," Teodoro said.
The Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef in Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS).
Teodoro said the DND has not had any contact with any Chinese government officials since last year.
"This is all a part of the Chinese propaganda effort to steer the Filipino people's attention away from the real issue and cause of the tensions in the West Philippine Sea, which is China's obstinate refusal to adhere to UNCLOS, which they are a signatory to," he added.
UNCLOS or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea recognizes the Philippine jurisdiction in the SCS.
"We will never enter into any agreement that will compromise our sovereignty and sovereign rights under the UNCLOS, as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Ruling," Teodoro said.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año previously said China must show proof of the Philippines’ alleged deal with China to keep the status quo in the WPS.
A gentlemen's agreement between former President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, if any, is “constitutionally void,” according to House of Representatives Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II because it must be enshrined in a treaty and submitted to the Senate for ratification before it can take effect.
Chinese research vessel spotted
Meanwhile, the AFP has been monitoring the unauthorized presence of a Chinese-flagged research vessel, "SHEN KUO," in the vicinity northeast of Viga, Catanduanes.
The vessel was first sighted on April 25, 60.9 nautical miles east off Rapu-Rapu Island, Albay.
UNAUTHORIZED Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines detect the presence of a Chinese-flagged research vessel "SHEN KUO" in the vicinity northeast of Viga, Catanduanes. Several attempts to contact the vessel through regular radio channels were unsuccessful, indicating a lack of responsiveness or willingness to engage.
AFP/PAF PHOTOS
Per latest reports from Tactical Operations Wing, Southern Luzon who conducted maritime patrol on April 27, it was observed that the vessel was lying-to in the area and had no personnel on the main deck.
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.
Additionally, the AFP is coordinating with relevant agencies to address the unauthorized presence and investigate any illegal activities within our EEZ, ensuring the security and protection of our waters. PNA
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