Chinese vessel shadows PH-US joint patrol in WPS

A Chinese vessel shadowed a joint maritime patrol conducted by the Philippines and the United States in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday morning, according to AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.

The joint patrol involved three ships, two from the Philippines and one from the US, sailing near the Malampaya gas field facility in northern Palawan.

A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel was observed shadowing the patrol from a distance of 6.5 nautical miles.

General Brawner stated that there were no aggressive actions from the Chinese vessel and expressed hope that this would continue.

He emphasized that the joint patrols are intended to enhance interoperability with the US and promote a rules-based international order, not to provoke China.

The joint maritime and air patrol between the Philippines and the US took place from November 21 to November 23.