PH Navy rejects China claim, says WPS military exercise zone is legal

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Tuesday rejected China’s claim that the Philippines illegally designated a “large-scale exercise zone” in the West Philippine Sea, saying the planned activities are lawful, coordinated with treaty allies, and conducted well within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the notice to airmen (Notam) covering military activities from late January to March applies only to areas where the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, including Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The shoal, a traditional Filipino fishing ground, lies 229 kilometers off Zambales.

“These accusations are baseless,” Trinidad said during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, responding to Chinese statements accusing the Philippines of provocation. 

“We have not claimed what is not ours. On the other hand, we have been on the receiving end of coercive and aggressive actions,” he said.

“Numbers do not lie, people do,” he added.

The exercise zone, which Trinidad said is covered by a Notam from Jan. 21 to March 31, authorizes the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its treaty allies to conduct a series of pre-scheduled and coordinated activities in the area. 

He said the zone is located west of Zambales and more than 1,111 kilometers from mainland China.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) confirmed the issuance of a Notam within the Manila Flight Information Region due to the military exercises in a statement released to reporters on Tuesday.

The notice covers vertical limits from the surface up to 18,000 feet, and advises all flight operators to exercise caution to ensure flight safety.

Trinidad stressed that issuing notices to airmen and mariners is a standard practice among professional militaries to inform civilian aircraft and vessels transiting an area of possible military activity, and does not restrict freedom of navigation or overflight.

Moreover, he said the Notam does not indicate a single continuous exercise but provides a broad time frame covering multiple activities, including planning, reconnaissance and training serials.

Details on specific exercises, participating countries, assets, and whether live-fire drills will be conducted will be released once finalized, he added.

China has sharply criticized the move.

In a statement carried by state-run Global Times, the People’s Liberation Army said an H-6K bomber took part in a sea-air combat readiness patrol near Scarborough Shoal after the Philippines allegedly designated an exercise zone covering what Beijing claims as its territorial waters and airspace.

China’s Ministry of National Defense earlier said the Philippines was “delusional” for attempting to conduct exercises near the shoal, calling the move illegal and an infringement on China’s sovereignty.

Beijing said it had lodged diplomatic protests and vowed to safeguard its maritime rights.

Trinidad dismissed those claims, saying no provision of international law supports China’s position. 

“Facts will tell us that we have not been nor will we be the reason for aggression in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

He also said the Philippine Navy has continued to monitor what it described as the “illegal presence” of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels in areas within the Philippines’ EEZ, including Bajo de Masinloc, adding that such presence is often used to advance “false narratives” about Chinese military exercises.

The spokesperson said similar notices have been issued in the past for Philippine and allied activities, noting that China itself conducted live-fire drills near Australia last year without prior notification, which caused alarm among civilian aircraft and ships.

The AFP said it will issue further advisories and updates once exercise details are finalized.