President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, December 2, expressed concern over the reported presence of a Russian submarine in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, calling it “very worrisome.”
The Chief Executive made the remarks in a chance interview with the reporters in Marikina City as a Russian attack submarine appeared within Manila’s exclusive economic zone last week, citing security sources.
“Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ, of our baselines, is very worrisome,” Marcos said.
“We will let the military discuss it with you, but I don’t think it is a subject that we should… Let’s just wish a Merry Christmas to all of these people,” Marcos added.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), confirmed that they have been monitoring the presence of the Russian attack submarine. He identified the vessel as the Russian Navy’s Ufa.
In 2022, China and Russia announced a “no limits” partnership during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing, just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The two countries conducted live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea in July.
Tensions between Manila and Beijing have been rising over the past year due to competing claims in the South China Sea. A 2016 arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s historical claims to the disputed waters had no legal basis, a decision that Beijing continues to reject. (TCSP)
