MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Tuesday that a China Coast Guard vessel conducted an “intrusive patrol” just 60 nautical miles off Lubang Island in Mindoro province.
In a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Chinese ship was on a “continuous passage” and was exercising its “freedom of navigation.”
“The Philippine Navy has monitored the presence. It was a continuous passage west of Lubang Island 60 nautical miles from mainland Luzon,” Trinidad said.
The Philippine side issued a radio challenge, said Trinidad, but the vessel did not respond.
Trinidad said the Navy has informed Philippine Coast Guard, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, and Naval Forces West about the vessel’s transit.
Former US Air Force official and Defence Attaché Ray Powell had earlier reported that a 135-meter CCG vessel with bow number 5303 was conducting an “intrusive patrol” in local waters on Sunday afternoon.
“At 16:20 yesterday the 135-meter China Coast Guard 5303 arrived 60 nm west of the Philippines’ Lubang Island & is now conducting an intrusive patrol at that location,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
