AFP: Chinese aircraft carrier passage off Mindanao ‘not a cause for alarm’

MANILA — The passage of a Chinese aircraft carrier group off Mindanao is “not a cause for alarm” when viewed in the context of broader regional geopolitical developments, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve) said.

“Para matanggal ang concern natin, we have to understand the bigger picture,” Trinidad told reporters in a phone interview on Monday.

The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) monitored the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Liaoning Carrier Group on October 22 as it passed through waters within its area of responsibility, moving from off Zamboanga del Norte toward the Celebes Sea.

Trinidad said the PLAN typically conducts two aircraft carrier exercises annually—usually in May to June and October to November.

“Ang general route nito is coming up north from mainland. Dadaan ‘yan sa Bashi Channel o Balintang sa atin, and they will go to the country’s eastern seaboard down south. Minsan umaabot ‘yang Australia. In coming up, dadaan ‘yan sa Sibutu Passage and international sea lanes, and they will exit sa South China Sea,” the official said.

This time, however, the carrier group took a different route, passing along the Philippines’ western seaboard before heading south.

According to Trinidad, the transit should be understood in the context of regional geopolitical dynamics, including China’s efforts to demonstrate its military capabilities.

He also linked the carrier group’s activity to Exercise Keen Sword, a large-scale exercise involving the United States, Japan, and other partner countries in Japan.

The official clarified that the Philippines participated in Keen Sword as an observer and that it was separate from the Philippines’ maritime cooperative activities (MCA) with partner nations.

“For this year… it just so happened na lumapit sila sa Basilan Strait at nakita sa Zamboanga. Trying to show off na rin sila… Pinapakita ng PLAN na mayroon din silang sariling kakayanan. It’s not a cause for alarm when we understand the bigger picture,” Trinidad said.

“The bigger picture is regional geostrategic dynamics. Ang local picture is nagpaparamdam sila, nagpapakita. Dati-rati naman pag dumadaan ’yung carrier battle group nila, either ’yung Liaoning or ‘yung Shandong, malayo sa shoreline. This time within 50 nautical miles nagpapakita sila, so nagpaparamdam sila. But when we understand the context, we will not be alarmed by that,” he added.

The Philippine Navy shadowed the Chinese carrier group throughout its passage, while the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) supported the monitoring operation.

WestMinCom said Navy vessels BRP Diego Silang and BRP Emilio Jacinto conducted shadowing operations, while PCG vessel BRP Sarangani joined the monitoring.

The PAF deployed a Black Hawk helicopter and an NC-212i aircraft for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.

Trinidad said Philippine forces issued radio challenges to the Chinese vessels, but they did not respond.

He noted, however, that the lack of response was not unusual, as thousands of vessels monitored across the country’s maritime domain also fail to respond to challenges each month.

“Chinallenge sila pero hindi sila sumagot, but they were escorted and shadowed all the way,” Trinidad said. “Each time may namomonitor tayo in the region, kahit wala pa sa ating EEZ [exclusive economic zone], we keep track of that para in case dumaan sila, alam nating nandiyan sila and we keeo a closer look on them.”

WestMinCom said the carrier group was initially monitored northwest of Talulu Point in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, before being tracked southwest of Maitum, Sarangani, as it continued southeastward toward the Celebes Sea.

Based on its course and speed, the group was estimated to exit WestMinCom’s area of operations at around 11 p.m. on October 22.

The command urged the public to remain calm and rely on verified information from official sources.