2 Chinese Surveillance Ships Break Into Philippine Waters

2 Chinese Surveillance Ships Spotted at West Philippine Sea

Two Chinese surveillance ships broke into the Philippine waters near Subic Bay after possibly shadowing a visiting US Coast Guard (USCG) cutter.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) search and rescue vessel BRP Batangas and escort vessel BRP Kalanggaman tracked the two Chinese Coast Guard maritime surveillance ships with bow numbers 46303 and 46302.

BRP Batangas and Kalanggaman have been deployed at the West Philippines Sea to meet USCG cutter Bertholf for a joint maritime search and rescue drill between Subic Bay and Panatag Shoal.

Chinese Surveillance Ships

The USCG cutter Bertholf was under the command of Capt. John Driscoll and the operation control of the US Navy’s 7th fleet.

Commander Gary Dale Gimotea of BRP Batangas said that the Chinese ships did not change position at four and six nautical miles away from PCG and USCG.

Gimotea explained that the joint drill aims to enhance maritime security and improve the relationship between the two nations.

Chinese Surveillance Ships

The BRP Batangas commander assumed that the Chinese ships were having a close look at the joint drill of the US and the Philippines.

“The joint maritime rescue drill was aimed at further enhancing the Philippine and US coast guards maritime law enforcement and maritime security (operations) as well as developing a working harmony involving mutual interests of both countries,” Gimotea said.

Chinese Surveillance Ships

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