PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – A Chinese Navy carrier fleet was spotted passing through waters off Mindanao last week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) disclosed on Monday.
In a statement, WestMinCom said its Maritime Situational Awareness Center (MSAC-WM) and other maritime units tracked the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Liaoning Carrier Group as it transited the Zamboanga Peninsula region last Thursday, Oct. 22.
Military tracking initially spotted the aircraft carrier fleet northwest of Talulu Point in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. The fleet was later monitored southwest of Maitum, Sarangani, as it moved southeastward toward the Celebes Sea, which the country shares with Indonesia and Malaysia.
READ: Chinese aircraft carrier, escorts monitored in N. Luzon waters
In response, the Philippine Navy deployed frigates and patrol ships to shadow the Chinese fleet.
BRP Diego Silang (FFG-7) and BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) conducted shadowing operations, joined by the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Sarangani.
The Philippine Air Force provided aerial reconnaissance and maritime surveillance using an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter and an NC-212i light transport aircraft.
WestMinCom noted that the Liaoning Carrier Group’s transit was “continuous and expeditious.”
Based on its monitored course and speed, the carrier group was estimated to have exited the Western Mindanao area of operations around 11 p.m. on Oct. 22.
Military units maintained active coordination and continuous reporting throughout the operation to enhance maritime domain awareness and safeguard regional waters, the WestMinCom said.
The command assured the public that it remains coordinated with relevant defense and maritime agencies to safeguard security within its area of operations, while urging citizens to stay calm and rely on verified information from official sources./coa
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