Chinese combat drills in South China Sea not alarming —Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday shrugged off concerns over the dozens of Chinese naval vessels reportedly conducting combat drills in the South China Sea.

"I don't think we should [be alarmed]. We don't believe the Chinese will act provocatively by bringing their warships much more their aircraft carriers in disputed waters," Lorenzana said.

The Defense chief said that the Philippine Navy and Air Force are monitoring the so-called "show of force" off Hainan Island.

"Of course. Our navy and Air Force are...Para alam natin kung ano ang mga ginagawa nila," he said.

A Reuters report, citing satellite images provided by Planet Labs Inc., said at least 40 ships and submarines were seen flanking the carrier Liaoning in what some analysts described as an unusually large display of the Chinese military's growing naval might.

The exercises come after a US Navy destroyer carried out a freedom of navigation operation close to Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KBK, GMA News