PN still to verify presence of Chinese warships off Panatag Shoal

From the Philippine News Agency (May 11): PN still to verify presence of Chinese warships off Panatag Shoal

The Philippine Navy (PN) is yet to confirm the presence of two Chinese warships off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal despite an earlier sighting report by a MH-60 helicopter flying-off the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) last week.

"We are still validating that report and veracity of the information (provided by the USS Blue Ridge and the US 7th Fleet)," PN Civil-Military Operations head Col. Edgard Arevalo, said.

He also declined to comment on why the Chinese have resorted sending "gray" (Navy) ships to disputed areas.

Photos released by the US 7th Fleet indicated that the Chinese Navy vessels were the guided missile destroyer Lanzhou (170) and guided missile frigate Hengshui (572).

Cmdr. William J. Marks, US 7th Fleet public affairs officer, said the Chinese naval vessels were photographed on May 5 by a USS Blue Ridge-embarked MH-60 helicopter.

"The aircraft is part of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, underway with the embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff aboard Blue Ridge, building relationships and furthering interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific," said Marks.

The 7th Fleet spokesman also said the Blue Ridge was in the vicinity of the Scarborough as part of "routine training and operations" in the South China Sea when the Chinese vessels were spotted.

"It's not uncommon for 7th Fleet to have ships and aircraft operating simultaneously in the Yellow Sea, East Sea and South China Sea. The Blue Ridge flight operations in the photos are part of our routine presence in international waters, with the goal of providing security and stability for all maritime nations," Marks explained.

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