Manila, Philippines – During the maritime exercises of the Philippines and the United States in the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal area on June 27 and 28, four Chinese ships were spotted in the West Philippine Sea.
According to a report by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), among the Chinese ships that followed the said maritime exercises was the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) with bow number 555 and included China Coast Guard (CCG) ships.
According to a Navy official, they expected the presence of Chinese ships in the midst of the exercise.
However, the said exercise in Philippine waters was successful despite the presence of Chinese ships.
The bilateral maritime cooperative activity (BMCA) is part of the training of Philippine and American troops to strengthen maritime capacity and interoperability, which features tactical maneuvering drills or division tactics, and search and rescue drills.
This exercise also aims to maintain the presence and patrolling of Philippine ships in the BDM.
The part of the ocean where Chinese ships conducted maritime research for three weeks.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News