Philippine Authorities confirmed the presence of Russian attack submarine inside the country’s territory on November 28.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitored the Russian Attack Submarine UFA 490 at 80 nautical miles west of Cape Calavite, Occidental Mindoro in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Upon receiving the report, the AFP immediately sent Philippine Navy’s vessel, the BRP Jose Rizal to verify the incident.
The Philippine Navy sent a radio message to the Russian submarine crew and asked them of their presence and intent in the country’s territory.
Crew of the Russian underwater vessel said they had just come from Malaysia and just took refuge in the Philippine water due to bad weather condition.
They were on their way back to the City of Vladivostok Russia when they caught on the bad weather condition.
The Philippine Navy monitored their movements and made sure they made good of their promise to leave the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) soon as the weather condition improved.
Russia being a close ally of China is considered a security concern for the Philippines.
On the same day the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also received a video footage which showed a Chinese military helicopter tailing a group of fishermen in the Rozul Reef.
PCG Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said they immediately sent their vessels to protect the Filipino fishermen and to show to the Chinese forces that the Philippines maintains active presence in the disputed areas.
Rozul Reef is within the Philippines’ EEZ as it is located about 125 kilometers from Palawan.
(AFP Photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.