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Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star
December 3, 2025 | 12:00am
Aerial photo of PLA Navy Type 903A Fuchi-class Replenishment Oiler BN 887 monitored by the Western Mindanao Command, AFP on Feb. 3, 2025.
Western Mindanao Command / Released
MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen warships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were monitored roaming the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea last month, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported yesterday.
At a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the PLAN warships were among the 14,972 different vessels monitored in the country’s territorial waters in November.
“Of these, 12,450 were foreign vessels and 2,522 were domestic. Furthermore, 13,190 vessels responded to radio challenges, while 1,781 did not,” Trinidad said.
“These monitoring efforts reflect the Navy’s continuous maritime domain awareness, presence operations and commitment to safeguarding territory, sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he said.
“The AFP remains resolute in upholding international law, protecting national interests and sustaining a credible and disciplined presence across all key maritime areas of the archipelago,” he added.
Trinidad noted that the 19 Chinese military vessels were spotted mostly in the vicinity of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.
Regarding Chinese maritime militia vessels, Trinidad said “we do not report them anymore considering that it’s quite a challenge to monitor them.”
He added, “We are still synchronizing our data on their monitored numbers,” referring to China Coast Guard ships.
He also noted issuing radio challenges to Chinese frigates and destroyers but got no responses.
“Their illegal presence, their coercive and aggressive actions, the deceptive messaging have been there for quite some time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Trinidad announced that the Philippine Navy is commissioning its latest warship, the BRP Diego Silang, with former Philippine Navy spokesman Capt. Jaypee Alcos as the commanding officer.
“This will add to the capital ships of the Philippine Navy that is capable of patrolling all the way up to our EEZ and even beyond. It will be the most modern warship that we will have,” he said.
Trinidad said more vessels would be added to the Philippine Navy’s assets, including six more offshore patrol vessels, two more landing docks from PT Pal of Indonesia and two more frigates.
