The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with various military units, continues its maritime patrols across the country's maritime features.
RH Edniel Parrosa reported that the AFP observed the presence of three Chinese warships within the Kalayaan Island Group area.
This included the sighting of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Ma’anshan Jiangkai-class vessel, bearing bow number 525, which was spotted during a maritime patrol near Panata Island at around 7:40 a.m. today, June 6.
JUST IN: Chinese PLA-N Ma’anshan Jiankai-class vessel na may bow number 525, nakita sa maritime patrol ng AFP malapit sa Panata Island; niradyuhan ng BRP Andres Bonifacio | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/XI8Ps32oY0
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 6, 2025
It approached as close as 4.6 nautical miles from the BRP Andres Bonifacio of the Philippine Navy, which was sailing with several members of the media on board, including DZRH.
In response, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio issued a radio challenge to PLA-N vessel 525 spotted in the vicinity of the island.
The AFP reported that the Philippine ship radioed the People's Liberation Army Navy vessel four times, with a response coming only after the last one.
WATCH: PH Navy ship BRP Andres Bonifacio, nag-isyu ng radio challenge sa PLA-N 525 na nakita sa bisinidad ng Panata Island ngayong Biyernes ng umaga
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 6, 2025
Ayon kay Lt. Commander Christian Malabanan, operations officer ng PS17, ito na ang ikatlong Chinese warship na mistulang… pic.twitter.com/EFaLyW8vHH
Lt. Commander Christian Malabanan, operations officer of PS17, said this marks the third Chinese warship observed seemingly monitoring AFP maritime patrols in the Kalayaan Island Group.
"Currently, they are just also monitoring our movement and we also monitor their movement. So, currently naman we maintain 2 to 3 nautical miles during our conduct of maritime patrol," Lt. Commander Malabanan stated.
Aside from the previously mentioned PLA vessel, one Chinese warship was detected near Sabina Shoal and another near Pag-asa Island. Also present in this area of the West Philippine Sea were two China Coast Guard ships and Maritime Militia vessels.
Despite challenging weather conditions at sea, the AFP considers this “symbolic maritime patrol” a success ahead of Independence Day on June 12.
The mission covered waters near Panata, Kota, and Sandy Cay today, following visits to the islands of Likas and Pag-asa in recent days.
Previously, the AFP reiterated that these activities are part of its ongoing efforts to assert the country’s sovereign rights and maintain a sustained presence in the area.
