During the ongoing Balikatan multilateral maritime exercises northwest of Palawan in the West Philippine Sea, the presence of Chinese warships has been notably persistent. The exercises, which involve the navies of the Philippines, the United States, and France, have seen continuous monitoring by Chinese vessels, including a surveillance ship with bow number 793 and a PLA-Navy frigate with bow number 570.
Throughout the day and into the evening, the Chinese vessels maintained a distance of six to nine nautical miles from the exercise area, closely following the maneuvers and formations practiced by the allied navies. Despite their proximity, the exercises proceeded without direct interference, focusing on division tactics such as formation and maneuvering of sea vessels.
Commander Marco Sandalo of the BRP Davao del Sur LD602 noted the monitoring of the Chinese presence, emphasizing that their movements were being continuously relayed to higher headquarters. The exercises have also coincided with an increase in Chinese militia vessels in the region, with numbers reportedly rising to 110 from a weekly average of 30 to 60.
This escalation occurs amidst ongoing tensions in the region, where Chinese militia and coast guard vessels have been known to harass Philippine ships, particularly around missions to Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre is stationed.
The Balikatan exercises, a cornerstone of military cooperation among the participating nations, aim to enhance interoperability and readiness in response to regional security challenges. However, the presence of Chinese military and militia vessels continues to highlight the complex dynamics and territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.