PH Navy deploys 2 ships as Chinese warship loitering near Zambales

The Philippine Navy has deployed two of its vessels after a Chinese warship was spotted loitering within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Zambales waters, the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the NLNC said that on December 17, People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Jiangkai II–class frigate with bow number 569 was seen 41 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island. 

Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) under Naval Task Force 11 of the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC) has been deployed to conduct maritime patrol operations and verify the report.

Upon confirmation of the Chinese presence, the Philippine Navy also sent BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07).

“Repeated radio challenges were issued, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and underscoring that the PLAN warship had been loitering within the Philippines’ EEZ without clarifying their intention and purpose,” the NLNC said.

“The foreign warship is currently being escorted in a controlled and non-escalatory manner,” it added.

According to the NLNC, the Philippine Navy deployment was conducted to safeguard the country’s maritime interests, enhance maritime domain awareness, and uphold Philippine sovereignty.

“The Philippine Navy emphasizes that such actions are part of routine maritime security operations aimed at protecting national security and territorial integrity,” it said.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Philippine Navy and the Northern Luzon Naval Command, remains steadfast in its commitment in maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation within the Philippines’ maritime domain, in accordance with international law,” it added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News