Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr today said the presence of a Russian submarine in the nation’s waters is “very concerning,” as its military vowed to continue safeguarding its maritime sovereignty.
“Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ [exclusive economic zone], of our baselines is very worrisome,” Marcos told reporters.
Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines / AFP
The country’s military said a Russian submarine, identified as UFA 490, was sighted 80 nautical miles (148km) west of Occidental Mindoro Province in the western Philippines on Thursday last week.
The Philippine Navy immediately deployed assets to monitor the situation, and a warship established radio communications with the submarine, the military said in a statement.
“The Russian vessel stated it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok,” it said.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer first reported on the sighting earlier today, citing unidentified sources.
The military said it would continue to protect the country’s sovereignty, adding that its “operations remain consistent with international maritime laws.”
The sighting of a Russian submarine comes against the backdrop of lingering tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.
The Russian submarine was spotted on the same day that the Philippine Coast Guard received video footage and images that it said “captured the harassment of Filipino fishing vessels” by a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy helicopter in a disputed reef.
The Marcos administration has been pushing back against China’s sweeping claims over the waterway, and the US last month said its forces are supporting their Philippine military allies in their operations in the South China Sea.
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