The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday rejected China’s claim that it conducted coordinated military exercises near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, saying monitored activity in the area showed no signs of tactical drills or organized formations.
AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said Philippine maritime monitoring systems detected the presence of vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG), but these movements did not indicate any joint operational activity.
“The AFP has monitored the reported presence of PLAN and CCG vessels in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. Our coordinated maritime domain awareness confirms that their claims of coordinated military drills are completely unfounded,” Trinidad said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
China earlier announced that it had conducted exercises in the area, which it considers part of its claimed South China Sea territory, framing the activity as a response to alleged violations of its maritime rights.
However, the AFP said what it observed was limited to independent and scattered vessel movements, without evidence of coordinated maneuvers, tactical formations, or synchronized operations that would constitute a military exercise.
“There was absolutely no monitored organized movement, tactical maneuvers or joint formations involving their ships or aircraft that would constitute a military exercise,” Trinidad said.
He added that while foreign vessels continue to be present in the area, Philippine forces remain focused on sustained maritime monitoring and domain awareness operations to safeguard national interests in the West Philippine Sea.
The AFP also urged the public to critically assess claims circulating online and from foreign sources, stressing the importance of verified information amid ongoing tensions in the disputed waters.
