President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed concern over the presence of a Russian attack submarine spotted in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week, describing the incident as troubling.
“That’s very concerning. Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our [Exclusive Economic Zone], of our baselines, is very worrisome,” Marcos told reporters.
The submarine, identified as the Russian Navy’s Ufa, was detected 80 nautical miles west of Occidental Mindoro on November 28 after leaving Malaysia.
Navy’s Response
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS, confirmed the vessel’s presence. The Philippine Navy dispatched an aircraft and the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) to monitor and track the submarine.
The Ufa, which did not submerge, moved slowly northward outside Philippine territorial waters, citing poor weather as the reason for its delay before proceeding to Vladivostok, Russia.
The BRP Jose Rizal established radio communication with the submarine, verifying its identity, crew details, and navigational intent.
Upholding Sovereignty
The Philippine Armed Forces emphasized its commitment to safeguarding maritime sovereignty and adhering to international laws.
“Our operations remain consistent with international maritime laws and demonstrate our dedication to regional peace and cooperation,” the AFP said.
Regional Implications
The incident adds to mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where the Philippines is already grappling with aggressive activities from other foreign vessels, including Chinese research and military ships.
As of this writing, the Russian Embassy has not issued a statement.