Philippine Navy tracks Chinese aircraft carrier, spy ship near the Babyan Islands
go through Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, reporter
The Philippine Navy said Thursday it monitored Chinese aircraft carriers, six escort vessels and a spy ship, near the country's northernmost island on Tuesday, calling its pass “unusual” and marking their closest way to the Philippines' coast.
The Philippines tracked the Shandong-class aircraft carrier, along with six destroyers and frigate escort cruisers and two support vessels near the province of Batanis, and was found to have shipped the airline's ships southwest of 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) southwest of the Babuyan Islands, Philippine Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Navy Roy Roy Vincent T. Trime of Anecorn of Anecent of a Mar t. trime of Mar the a Mar int a Mar int a Mar int a Mar int s SIDE in Manila.
He added that the vessels were last 180 nautical miles east of Cagayan province in northern Philippines on Wednesday night.
Navy spokesman John Percie Alcos told reporters at the same event that the Navy also tracked a separate Type 815 Chinese surveillance vessel, about 33 miles northwest of Dalupiri Island (also part of the Batanes Province).
He said the navy based on the northern Philippines deployed undisclosed naval assets to monitor ships and challenged their presence.
He added: “We hope that many ships will be able to transition to the area, especially near the coasts of the Babyan Islands and Dalupiri Island, as they are recognized maritime corridors.”
He said it is not clear whether passes on Chinese ships would endanger national security risks, as they would pass quickly. “This is in our field, but we can’t be sure if they pose a real threat.”
“While the normal procedure is for warships or foreign ships to respond, in some cases, they did not respond,” Trinidad said. “This is a special example, and Shandong Carrier Combat Group did not provide any response at the moment of the challenge.”
The 305-meter Chinese aircraft carrier can carry 30 military aircraft, while the 130-meter spy ship sails near the Philippine Islands, where the upcoming Manila-Washington military exercise will be held, with the U.S. mobile anti-ship missile system participating.
The Philippines and U.S. forces began a three-week Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) exercise on Monday, which will be held near major locations in areas such as the South China Sea and Taiwan.
“With Balikatan's workout, we also hope that several key players will be able to monitor the sport,” Alcos said.
The Chinese government criticized joint military exercises on Monday, saying high-level weapons deployed by “countries outside the region” could endanger regional stability and suggests the United States.
The U.S. military brought a variety of advanced weapons to the exercises to enhance military readiness and interoperability, including mobile anti-fleet missile systems, portable artillery rocket systems and short-range air defense platforms, while using mid-range capability missile batteries retained by the Philippines after last year's practice.
South China Sea regulations
Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique A. fiNext year, the code of conduct in the South China Sea.
He added that it remains necessary to clarify the scope and nature of the proposed code of conduct, including how it aligns with the 2002 Declaration of Principles, as the issue remains a “controversial” issue in the region.
“We are all politically committed to implementing next year's code,” he told reporters. “We hope to have it and we will do everything we can to try to achieve successful negotiations.”
The Philippines will hold the ASEAN summit next year.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to Viber's information seeking comments.
ASEAN and Beijing pledged in 2002 to propose a code of conduct in the South China Sea, a framework designed to prevent conflict through diplomatic means, but it remains elusive due to slow progress.
As Beijing continues to claim sovereignty throughout the ocean, a crucial global trade route that is believed to be also believed to be filled with submarine gas and oil deposits, the South China Sea has become a regional flashpoint.
Philippine and Chinese forces have been repeatedly quarreled in their maritime competitive claims, and tensions revolve around controversial maritime features such as the Sprat Islands and the Scarborough Shoals.
Despite a 2016 tribunal ruling that Beijing has deployed a fleet of the Coast Guard to protect what it believes is territorial, saying its claims are illegal.
Meanwhile, Mr Manalo said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is “continuously monitoring” Filipinos who are accused of surveillance by the Chinese government.
“As far as I understand, they are still investigating,” he said. “But our officials there in China are closely watching and monitoring any developments.”
China's Ministry of State Security arrested three Filipinos accused of espionage, whose arrest was deemed “under the law”, Beijing Global Era Reported earlier this month. They were accused of “intelligence collection” and conducting “secret intelligence missions” in mainland China.
“Our fellow countrymen are not spies,” party Rep. Percival V. Cendaña said in a statement from the Philippines. “They are innocent migrant workers.”
He added: “It is obvious that China is retaliating against the arrest of spies on our soil. They succumb to shameful 'hostage diplomacy'.”
Their arrests came earlier this year by Philippine authorities arrested many Chinese nationals accused of being accused of US military ruins, the presidential palace and the country's military and police national headquarters.
Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Tiodoro (Gilberto C.
Mr Cendaña said the Filipino government should issue travel advice and risk alerts to Filipinos traveling to China and suspend its sister city agreement with Chinese metropolis.
