President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the reported presence of a Russian attack submarine in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) “very concerning.”
“All of that is very concerning. Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), of our baselines is very worrisome,” Marcos Jr. said during a media interview.
The President said that he would leave the matter to the military.
The Philippine Navy reported tracking the Russian submarine, identified as the Ufa, last week. The vessel was first spotted on November 28, approximately 80 nautical miles west of Occidental Mindoro.
In response, the Navy deployed an aircraft and a warship to monitor the submarine, which moved slowly without submerging, remaining outside Philippine territorial waters. It was tracked closely by the BRP Jose Rixal.
Several senators also expressed concern over the submarine’s presence in the country’s waters.
“The reported presence of a Russian submarine in the West Philippine Sea is truly concerning. This underscores the need for heightened vigilance in safeguarding our territorial waters,” said Senator Joel Villanueva.
Villanueva thanked the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy for ensuring the security of the country’s maritime territory.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada raised concerns about the impact on regional stability.
The presence of foreign military assets increases the risk of misunderstandings and conflicts in the region, added Estrada.
“We urge the relevant authorities–the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)—to take immediate action and clarify the intentions behind this incursion,” he furthered.
Senator Francis Tolentino called on the DFA to continue highlighting the Philippines’ efforts to consolidate its claim over its maritime zones.
He pointed to recent legislative achievements, such as the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (RA 12065) and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (RA 12064).IMT
