The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) is closely monitoring the movements of three Chinese Navy vessels spotted near Mindanao.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) identified the vessels as a Renhai Class Cruiser Guided Missile, a Jiankai Class Frigate II, and a Type 903 Fuchi Class Replenishment Oiler, all part of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The ships were first detected in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, February 2, before sailing through the Mindoro Strait toward the Sulu Sea.
WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarette stated that the vessels are expected to pass through the Sibutu Passage and Basilan Strait, both part of the Philippines’ maritime domain. These routes fall under archipelagic sea lanes where foreign ships are permitted innocent passage.
However, the Chinese Navy vessels reportedly transited without prior diplomatic coordination with the Philippines and maintained a slow speed of 4-5 knots, which contradicts the principles of innocent passage.
In response, WestMinCom deployed two Philippine Air Force aircraft—a C-208 and a Nomad N22—to monitor the vessels as they moved through the country’s territorial waters.
Additionally, Joint Task Force Poseidon, WestMinCom’s lead maritime security unit, dispatched Philippine Navy ships to challenge and shadow the Chinese vessels as they traversed the military’s area of responsibility. The Philippine Navy’s littoral radar systems also tracked their movements.
WestMinCom assured the public that the armed forces remain committed to protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of foreign maritime activities.