Chinese ships spotted in PH’s EEZ during patrols of AFP, US, Canada

Three Chinese Navy ships were spotted within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone during the joint patrols of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its counterparts in Canada and the United States on Feb. 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Three People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships were spotted within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone during the joint patrols of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its counterparts in Canada and the United States on Wednesday.

In a statement on Thursday, the AFP revealed that an oceanographic surveillance ship and a helicopter were also monitored from a distance during the seventh multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA).

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“The 7th MMCA commenced at 09:23 a.m. and culminated by 04:30 p.m. of the same day on February 12, 2025,” it said.

“Established and agreed upon protocols were observed and all have their respective ROEs (rules of engagement) for any adverse situation. The monitored PLA-Navy and other assets did not interfere during the 7th MMCA,” it added.

In a separate statement, the AFP said the MMCA was held within the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) Joint Operational Area.

“Nolcom through the Naval Forces Northern Luzon deployed BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17) and Beechcraft King Air (NV394) to take part in the Division Tactics, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Communication Exercises, all designed to improve operational readiness,” the military said.

“This initiative supports the AFP’s efforts to safeguard the West Philippine Sea and maintain maritime domain awareness. It also reflects the importance of international cooperation in ensuring peace, stability, and adherence to the 2016 arbitral ruling under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” it added.

The seventh multilateral maritime cooperative activity was held within the Northern Luzon Command Joint Operational Area on Feb. 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of AFP

On February 5,  the AFP and its counterparts in the US, Australia, and Japan held the sixth MMCA.

The activity follows the presence of the China Coast Guard’s “monster ship” detected inside the western section of the Philippine EEZ at the time.

The seventh multilateral maritime cooperative activity was held within the Northern Luzon Command Joint Operational Area on Feb. 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of AFP