Chinese navy boat spotted in West Philippine Sea Balikatan

MANILA, Philippines — At least one Chinese naval vessel had been spotted in the vicinity of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where the Philippines, the United States and France were conducting Multilateral Maritime Exercises (MME) under Balikatan 2024, the military said yesterday.

Capt. Ariel Coloma, public affairs office chief and spokesman for the Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the grey ship of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was sighted yesterday.

“Yes, there is presence of CN (Chinese Navy) vessel in the vicinity of our Balikatan ships conducting the MME,” he told reporters yesterday.

“We have reported one PLAN vessel with bow number 793 in the vicinity,” he added, providing no further details.

The MME, involving the navies of the Philippines, US and France, is being held within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

Balikatan 2024 Combined Joint Information Bureau chief Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado said the AFP, the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the French Navy successfully conducted a Simulated Replenishment at Sea (RAS) exercise on Friday.

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz led the exercise with BRP Davao del Sur, French frigate FS Vendemiaire and landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry as participants.

Salgado said the RAS exercise is aimed at maintaining operational readiness and extending the operational range of naval fleets to ensure that vessels can be resupplied while at sea, allowing them to remain operational without the need for frequent port visits.

Salgado said a continuation of Cross Deck Landing exercise involving the four vessels and a Philippine Navy helicopter was also conducted.

“The exercise tested the coordination and precision required for helicopter landings on different vessels, a vital skill in complex naval operations,” he said.

On Friday, Filipino Marines engaged their counterparts in the US Marine Corp in a joint air assault drill in Balabac Island, Palawan as part of the ongoing Balikatan exercises, Salgado also said.

The drill involved a simulated scenario requiring Filipino and US soldiers to team up in operations utilizing air assets, he added.

Utilizing USMC’s CH53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters, Salgado said the air assault exercise involved the insertion of troops into a designated zone, simulating a rapid deployment scenario.

“This exercise demonstrates the combined capabilities of the Philippine and US Marines in conducting complex military operations,” Salgado said.

Balikatan 2024 is the biggest iteration of the joint training exercises between Filipino and American troops, which for this year also involves the armed forces of France and Australia, with 14 other countries acting as observers.