PH Navy says ships escorting Chinese warship out of country's EEZ

MANILA, December 26 ------ The Philippine Navy this week said it had escorted a Chinese warship out of the country's exclusive economic zone, off Capones Island in Zambales.

In a statement, the Philippine Navy said it deployed two vessels — BRP Emilio Jacinto and BRP Diego Silang — near the province after members of the local maritime community there reported on December 17 the presence of a Chinese warship. Beijing's vessel, PLAN Jiangkai II, a class frigate with bow number 569, had been loitering approximately 41 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island, the naval warfare service said. "Throughout the encounter, Philippine Navy ships maintained professional and measured posture while firmly asserting Philippine sovereign rights," the Philippine Navy said.

It said it issued repeated radio challenges because the PLAN warship had been "loitering within the Philippines' EEZ without clarifying their intention and purpose." "The foreign warship is currently being escorted in a controlled and non-escalatory manner," the Navy said. The Philippine Navy said that the move against the Chinese warship was part of routine maritime security operations aimed at protecting the nation's security and territorial integrity.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com