Another Chinese Navy vessel spotted near Balikatan exercises in Palawan

Another Chinese Navy vessel was spotted near the area off the waters of Palawan where Multilateral Maritime Exercises (MME) for this year’s Balikatan exercises were being conducted, the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Sunday, April 28.

AFP Western Command spokesperson Capt. Ariel Coloma said the vessel from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was spotted around seven to eight miles from the main group of vessels that was conducting the maritime exercises off the waters of San Vicente, Palawan.

“We have no idea (why it is there) but they (China) have a presence there… But we are monitoring them, we are recording whatever our ships monitor in the area,” said Coloma when asked if the Chinese Navy, with bow number 578, was monitoring the maritime exercises.

The presence of a Chinese Navy vessel reported on Sunday was the second incident of Chinese vessel presence reported. On Saturday, a Chinese navy vessel with bow number 793 was also spotted.

Coloma said that the Chinese Navy vessel reported on Saturday was no longer in the area.

Both the two Chinese Navy vessels spotted since Saturday, according to Coloma, did not make any challenge, similar to what Chinese vessels usually do to Philippine vessels.

The Balikatan’s MME, composed of Philippine, US and French vessels, is expected to conclude on Monday, April 29.

Coloma said they are not bothered by the presence of Chinese Navy vessels near the maritime exercise location, saying the Balikatan exercises planners have already mapped out contingencies for whatever scenario that may happen. (Aaron Recuenco)