Chinese warships spotted in Cagayan waters

Cagayan, Philippines – Chinese carrier and warships were seen in the waters in Northern Luzon, specifically in Cagayan. 

The Philippine Navy on April 24 revealed they spotted Aircraft carrier Shandong (CV-17) along with People’s Liberation Army-Navy destroyers and frigates and other support vessels which include an electronic surveillance ship with tail number AGI-797.

Navy spokesperson, Capt. John Percie Alcos, told reporters on Thursday they first monitored the vessels on Tuesday, April 22. The CV-17 was spotted 2.23 nautical miles southwest of Babuyan Island while the AGI-797 was tracked 33.11 nautical miles northwest of Dalupiri Island.

The Chinese aircraft carrier was estimated to be 115 nautical miles off Sta. Ana on April 23.

Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad also revealed they challenged the Chinese warships through radio communication but they didn’t get any reply. He explained that while it’s the normal procedure for a warship or foreign ship to respond, there are cases they don’t, like what the Shandong carrier did.

Trinidad said “We know they are there, we monitor them, we challenge them, we are aware of their presence.”

The United States Naval Institute, meantime revealed that the aircraft carrier was dispatched for the second time this April.