AFP confirms 'innocent passage' of 4 China Navy ships off Tawi-Tawi

The Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Mindanao Command confirmed the "innocent passage" of four People's Liberation Army Navy vessels through the Sibutu Passage off Tawi-Tawi, GMA Integrated News program 24 Oras Weekend reported on Sunday. 

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, a passage was considered innocent so long as it was not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the coastal state that had jurisdiction over the area.

A local who was on his way to Bongao town had spotted and took photos of the Chinese Navy ships.

The PLA vessels had the hull numbers 887, 552, 174, and 105. — DVM, GMA Integrated News