MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that the sighting of a Russian attack submarine in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week was worrisome.
According to the Chief Executive, any form of intrusion into the Philippine territorial waters is a source of concern and he will let the Philippine military discuss the matter.
“That’s very concerning. Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ (exclusive economic zone), of our baselines, is very worrisome. Yes it’s just another one,” Marcos said in an ambush interview on Monday.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad recently stated that Russian Navy’s Ufa was monitored in the contested waters last week.
Trinidad said the Russian attack submarine, which came from Malaysia, was first seen 80 nautical miles west of Occidental Mindoro on November 28.
The Philippine Navy immediately sent an aircraft and a warship to track the movement of the Russian vessel and it learned that the Ufa did not submerge as it moved slowly northward outside the Philippine territorial waters until the weekend.
“But the Russian vessel told the Philippine Navy that it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok, Russia,” Trinidad said.
“BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) was the one that established radio communications with the submarine, which confirmed its identity, crew complement, and navigational intent,” he added./PN
