2 Chinese warships monitored in Basilan Strait

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MANILA, Philippines—Two Chinese Navy warships were spotted in the Basilan Strait in Mindanao on Thursday, which were promptly shadowed and radio-challenged by the Philippine Navy.

On Friday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessels—a training ship with bow number 83 and an amphibious transport dock with bow number 999— passed through the Basilan Strait within the Zamboanga Peninsula.

“In accordance with standard operating procedure, the AFP dispatched BRP Domingo Deluana (PG905) to shadow/monitor the passage of the two PLA Navy vessels,” the AFP said in a statement.

“Our escorting vessel also issued a standard challenge to the Chinese warships.”

However, the captain of the PLAN warship with bow number of 83 said it was only conducting normal navigation from its last port of call in Dili, Timor Leste en route to Dalian, China.

The Basilan Strait is recognized as an international sea lane that allows the innocent passage of vessels from various nations.

According to the Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), a passage may be deemed innocent “so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State.”

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“We continue to uphold international maritime laws while safeguarding our territorial integrity,” the AFP said.

Last month, four PLAN vessels also traversed Sibutu Passage, or the narrow channel that separates Sulu Archipelago and Borneo.