Senators expressed concern after a Russian attack submarine was reportedly sighted in the West Philippine Sea last week.
Senate Committee on National Defense Chairman Jinggoy Estrada urged government agencies to take immediate action regarding the incident.
Estrada called on the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Department of Foreign Affairs to clarify the intent behind the submarine’s presence.
He warned that such occurrences could compromise maritime stability and security, especially in a geopolitically sensitive region.
Estrada noted that the presence of foreign military assets with offensive capabilities increases the risk of misunderstandings and conflicts.
Senator Joel Villanueva emphasized the need for stricter maritime surveillance to prevent similar incidents.
Villanueva pointed out that the recently enacted Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act provide stronger legal tools to assert the country’s sovereignty.
The Russian submarine was spotted west of Occidental Mindoro last Thursday, reportedly coming from Malaysia.
Instead of submerging, the submarine proceeded northward and exited the country’s territorial waters over the weekend.