China-Russia military drills did not enter PH's EEZ —PH Navy

The recent military exercise of China and Russia did not reach the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday.

“We, the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces, are aware of the activities between the Russian Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy. The recently conducted exercise off the Philippine Sea was beyond our EEZ,” said Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad. 

“Nevertheless, we monitor them. We are aware of their activity being conducted,” he added.

According to Trinidad, Chinese and Russian vessels were seen around 230 nautical miles away from the Philippines.

Trinidad said Chinese and Russian vessels got closer to Japan and Taiwan compared to their activity in the Philippines.

Based on Jakarta Post’s report, Russia's Pacific Fleet Sovershennyi corvette and People's Liberation Army Navy warships earlier conducted training during a joint naval patrol in the Philippine Sea.

On Friday, China said it was conducting joint military drills with Russia along its southern coast after a US-led Western defense alliance met in Washington and Japan warned of a growing threat from Beijing's strong ties with Moscow.

The drills in the waters and airspace around Zhanjiang, a city in southern Guangdong province, are "to demonstrate the resolve and capabilities of the two sides in jointly addressing maritime security threats and preserving global and regional peace and stability.”

China added that the exercises "will further deepen China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era". —VAL, GMA Integrated News