China carrier strike group in Philippines waters, AFP confirms

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines expressed concern yesterday over the reported deployment of a Chinese naval carrier strike group in Philippine waters.

Reacting to a report by the United States Naval Intelligence (USNI)’s news website, the military gave assurance that it would continue to safeguard the country’s territorial waters.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines notes the deployment of a Chinese carrier strike group in the Philippine Sea with concern,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Shandong Carrier Strike Group “is now operating in the Philippine Sea, marking the first time this year that the aircraft carrier has deployed outside of the South China Sea,” according to the USNI’s report.

It noted that the last deployment to the Philippine Sea was in October and November last year and that on June 26, “Shandong sailed within 230 miles of Luzon before moving back to waters near Hainan Island and subsequently conducting drills with other PLAN ships in the South China Sea.”

The USNI’s latest report dated July 9 said that a “joint PLAN-Russian Navy patrol is also currently operating in the Philippine Sea, while Russia also dispatched two corvettes on Monday for an Indo-Pacific deployment.”

The presence and operation of the Chinese navy unit in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are a concern as it again called on China to respect and uphold international law, according to the AFP.

“We emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and urge all parties to adhere to international laws and norms, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Padilla said.

“The AFP remains committed to safeguarding our maritime interests and ensuring the security of our nation’s territorial waters through continued vigilance,” she added.

China Coast Guard (CCG)’s biggest ship, which is also the largest in the world and is nicknamed The Monster because of its size, is currently in Philippine waters near Sabina (Escoda) Shoal.

It was previously sighted in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippine Navy’s grounded BRP Sierra Madre serves as a military outpost.

Despite China’s continuing presence and harassment of Philippine vessels in the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS, reiterated on Tuesday that the AFP would not be deterred.

“Suffice it to say that the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces will continue their presence not only in Sabina or Escoda Shoal but all over our nine features in the WPS,” Trinidad said.

Obstructed

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed that Chinese maritime forces “obstructed and delayed” a medical evacuation for a sick soldier from the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal last Sunday.

The agency deployed two 44-meter patrol vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño “to rendezvous with the rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) of LS-57 in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal,” according to a statement from PCG spokesman for the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela sent to journalists last Tuesday.

Tarriela said the speedboat carried the sick personnel from the Sierra Madre. Photos he shared with reporters showed the personnel wearing a black shirt with yellow baybayin script, black shorts and clogs, and held by PCG officers.

“The PCG faced numerous obstructing and delaying maneuvers by CCG vessels, but they remained steadfast to their humanitarian mission and was able to complete the transfer of the sick personnel from the LS-57 RHIB to the PCG RHIB,” Tarriela said.

He shared a photo that showed three CCG RHIBs and another speedboat from the PLAN surrounding the LS-57 RHIB and the PCG RHIB.

The PCG official said the PCG speedboat was able to escape the blocking of the Chinese forces.

“Despite the threatening presence of various small CCG vessels, the PCG RHIB was able to return to the main PCG vessel without further interruption,” he added.

The sick soldier has been declared in stable condition, according to Tarriela.

Referring to the latest incident as a “testament to the unwavering bravery, dedication and professionalism of the AFP and PCG,” the PCG official maintained that both agencies would “remain vigilant in their mission to protect and serve the Filipino people.”

Tarriela’s statement came following a report by former US Air Force official Ray Powell that CCG and Chinese maritime militia ships “intercepted” the Cabra and Cape Engaño within the area of Ayungin Shoal.

Last Tuesday, China’s Global Times posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the country “allowed the Philippines to send a sick person from the illegally grounded warship on Ren’ai Jiao based on humanitarian considerations.”

China refers to Ayungin Shoal as Ren-ai Jiao.

Tarriela accused China of “low regard for a humanitarian mission” by sending boats to block the medical evacuation for the sick soldier. — Ghio Ong