MANILA, Philippines- Hindi umabot ang kamakailang military exercise ng China at Russia sa Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), ayon sa Philippine Navy nitong Martes.
“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,” pahayag ni Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad.
“Nevertheless, we monitor them. We are aware of their activity being conducted,” dagdag ng opisyal.
Base kay Trinidad, namataan ang Chinese at Russian vessels halos 230 nautical miles mula sa Pilipinas.
Inihayag ni Trinidad na mas lumapit ang Chinese at Russian vessels sa Japan at Taiwan kumpara sa kanilang aktibidad sa Pilipinas.
Ayon sa ulat ng Jakarta Post, nagsagawa ang Pacific Fleet Sovershennyi corvette ng Russia at People’s Liberation Army Navy warships ng pagsasanay sa joint naval patrol sa Philippine Sea.
Nitong Biyernes, sinabi ng China na nagsasagawa ito ng joint military drills kasama ang Russia sa kahabaan ng southern coast nito matapos magpulong ang US-led Western defense alliance sa Washington at magbabala ang Japan ng umiigting na banta mula sa malalim na ugnayan ng Beijing sa Moscow.
Nilalayon ng drills sa katubigan at himpapawid sa Zhanjiang, lungsod sa southern Guangdong province “to demonstrate the resolve and capabilities of the two sides in jointly addressing maritime security threats and preserving global and regional peace and stability.”
Dagdag ng China, ang pagsasanay “will further deepen China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era”. RNT/SA
