THE Philippine Navy on Friday said that two Chinese Navy warships were spotted in the Basilan Strait in Mindanao on Thursday.
This prompted the PN to shadow and radio-challenged the warships.
On Friday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessels—a training ship with bow number 83 and an amphibious transport dock with bow number 999— passed through the Basilan Strait within the Zamboanga Peninsula.
“In accordance with standard operating procedure, the AFP dispatched BRP Domingo Deluana (PG905) to shadow/monitor the passage of the two PLA Navy vessels,” the AFP said in a statement.
“Our escorting vessel also issued a standard challenge to the Chinese warships.”
The Basilan Strait is recognized as an international sea lane that allows the innocent passage of vessels from various nations.
