The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday assured the public that the recent passage of China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group through the country’s maritime domain, off Mindanao, was “no cause for alarm.”
During the press briefing at Camp Crame, AFP special spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Ret), (Res) described the Chinese carrier group’s movement as a “periodic activity,” according to RH Edniel Parrosa's report.
According to Trinidad, the vessel came within 15 nautical miles of Philippine territory as it traveled from the northern part of the country toward the waters off Zamboanga del Norte and proceeded to the Celebes Sea.
However, he noted that the Chinese vessel did not respond to any of the radio challenges issued by Philippine forces.
”This time around they passed the western seaboard and they came close within 15 nautical miles to our landmass. It is no cause for alarm it is a periodic activity our maritime domain awareness is constant active,” Trinidad said.
The carrier group was monitored entering the Philippine archipelago from the north, passing through the country toward Mindanao, and exiting through the eastern seaboard.
The Chinese carrier strike group was shadowed by Philippine Navy vessels BRP Diego Silang and BRP Emilio Jacinto, with support from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Sarangani and a Black Hawk helicopter and an NC-212i aircraft from the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
The AFP emphasized that its maritime domain awareness operations remain ”constant and active, with continued monitoring” of activities within the country’s maritime domain.
