ON New Year’s Day, January 1, SMNI embarked on a long journey across the West Philippine Sea. Before setting sail, the Philippine Navy personnel conducted a briefing on the do’s and don’ts of the mission.
After this, at exactly five in the afternoon, the ship we were on, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz of the Philippine Navy, set sail.
2 Chinese warships remain ‘nearly all day’ amid PH-U.S. drills in West Ph Sea
But shortly after, the presence of two Chinese gray ships was spotted in different directions from our vessel.
One Chinese warship was the 174 Destroyer, and the other was the 570 Frigate. The Philippine Navy attempted to radio challenge the two Chinese gray ships as they entered the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone during the exercises. However, they received no response.
In fact, the Philippines issued five radio challenges to China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy ships to inquire about the reason for their entry into the EEZ while the exercises were underway.
On the other hand, the presence of the Chinese warships did not cause any tension on the Philippine side, so the drill continued.
However, the two Chinese ships remained in the vicinity without making any suspicious moves.
These are just a few of the many drills that the two forces will participate in, including arrival/departure passing exercises, resupply at sea, and cross-deck exercises. Also included are joint patrols, gunnery exercises, Officer of the Watch (OW) maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations for the last day of the activity.
A US Navy ship was also spotted within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone activity area during the ongoing activity.
It is expected that these activities, aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two countries, particularly in defense, will conclude. The Philippines is currently facing challenges in disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reiterated that these similar activities with allied countries are not directed at provoking war. Instead, it is a fervent commitment to defend and assert the country’s territorial claims, such as those in the West Philippine Sea.
