Chinese Navy shadows Philippine-US-French naval exercises in West Philippine Sea

Chinese Navy vessels continued to shadow Philippine, U.S., and French naval vessels during the ongoing Balikatan joint military exercises in the West Philippine Sea from April 25 to 29.

Two PLAN ships with bow numbers 793 and 167 were detected near the exercise area off Palawan waters, while another Chinese research vessel 'Shen Kuo' was spotted near Catanduanes.

During gunnbal exercises on Monday, heavy machine gun teams from the Philippine Navy's BRP Davao del Sur, the USS Somerset, and other ships fired live rounds at a target balloon nicknamed 'Killer Tomato'.

Commander Marco Sandalo of the BRP Davao del Sur reported that despite Chinese naval presence, activities proceeded safely and successfully.

Balikatan's first multilateral maritime exercise concluded without any disturbances from the PLAN vessels, according to Col. Michael Logico, who stated that participants were undaunted by their presence.

The Philippine Army's 5th Civil-Military Operation Battalion's Civil Affairs Team and Forward Service Medical Company participated in tactical combat casualty care training alongside US counterparts at the US Army's 10th Field Hospital in Lal-lo, Cagayan on April 30.