AFP monitors 5 Chinese ships in South

From Tempo (Aug 15, 2019): AFP monitors 5 Chinese ships in South




THE Chinese spy ship that was monitored in the waters between Sulu and Borneo. (Photo by Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has monitored the incursion of a Chinese military surveillance ship and four warships in the waters between Sulu and Borneo in five incidents in the past two months.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commanding general of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said they monitored the entry of two warships in July while three more were seen this month. All of them were spotted at the Sibutu Strait, which separates Sulu archipelago from Borneo.

While the area is considered as international waters where passage of foreign vessels is allowed, Sobejana said there are still protocols that must be followed.

“Since these are warships, their entry to our territory should be coordinated,” said Sobejana.

The official said that the Chinese warships could not claim innocent passage in the area since the protocol dictates that armed vessel like warships must coordinate with the country which has rights over the waters that military vessels would pass.

Besides, he said, there were instances that the Chinese warships veered away from the sea lanes which allow innocent passage.

“It was not an innocent passage because innocent passage means there is a straight lane where the vessels would pass. If you veer away from that straight line, that is no longer considered as innocent passage,” said Sobejana.

Sobejana said they have filed a report with the AFP leadership on the incursions that they have monitored. Included in the report was that the Chinese warships immediately sailed away from Philippine waters after their presence was spotted by AFP naval and air assets.

“We informed the national leadership in order for them to engage with their counterparts at the Department of Foreign Affairs or any of the attaches there in Manila,” said Sobejana.

http://tempo.com.ph/2019/08/15/afp-monitors-5-chinese-ships-in-ph-waters/