NEWS
Chinese vessels ignore AFP radio challenges
Trinidad said the vessels did not respond to radio challenges, but noted that such nonresponses were not unusual.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitored 54 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from 20 to 26 October, up from 31 the previous week, as a Chinese aircraft carrier group transited waters off Mindanao.
AFP special spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, retired Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, said Tuesday that the carrier group, led by the Liaoning, passed along the country’s western seaboard before exiting through its southern maritime border.
Trinidad said the passage was part of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s periodic carrier exercises and was not a cause for alarm.
The carrier group typically includes destroyers, air-defense vessels, other surface ships and replenishment vessels. A submarine was also expected to be part of the formation, he said.
The Liaoning came within 15 nautical miles of the Philippine landmass, Trinidad said, adding that the military and Coast Guard maintained constant monitoring.
The AFP’s tally included Chinese navy and coast guard vessels operating around key features in the West Philippine Sea.
At Ayungin Shoal, authorities monaitored seven Chinese navy vessels and seven coast guard vessels. Bajo de Masinloc had six navy vessels and 11 coast guard vessels, while Escoda Shoal had five navy vessels and two coast guard vessels.
Near the Pag-asa Islands, four navy vessels and 12 coast guard vessels were recorded.