PLA vessels enter PH waters sans clearance

The Western Mindanao Command is monitoring three Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels that entered Philippine waters on February 2.

These vessels, identified as a Renhai Class Cruiser Guided Missile, a Jiangkai Class Frigate II, and a Type 903 Fuchi Class Replenishment Oiler, were first spotted in the West Philippine Sea and are now navigating through the Sibutu Strait towards the Sulu Sea.

Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete of the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed during Tuesday's Commission on Appointments meeting that these ships have been shadowed and monitored since their entry into Philippine waters without any diplomatic clearance from China.

The PLA vessels, which are moving at unusually slow speeds of four to five knots, may be participating in Indonesia’s Komodo exercise but still require diplomatic clearance for passage through Philippine sea lanes.

Philippine military officials continue to emphasize the importance of upholding international law and regional peace stability amidst these developments.