AFP: Chinese ships monitored US-PH drills in WPS

Two Chinese Navy vessels were observed watching while US and Philippine troops conducted joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea last Friday, February 9, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad reveals during a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. INQUIRER FILES

Two Chinese Navy vessels were spotted while Philippine and US troops were conducting joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday.

Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday that two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) ships were seen in the vicinity during the latest Philippines-US maritime drills.

The PLA Navy vessels, which were about 7 to 9 kilometers (4 to 5 nautical miles) away from Philippine and US ships, “were just there” and did not do anything. But no Chinese maritime militia or coast guard vessels appeared during the military exercise, he added.

On Feb. 9, the Philippines and US held a Maritime Cooperative Activity in the WPS to reaffirm their “commitment to bolstering regional security and stability.”

READ: Expert commends PH efforts to expose China actions in WPS

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said the joint drill showed the “enduring partnership” between the Philippine and the US militaries. —Nestor Corrales