MANILA, April 24, 2025
Philippine defense authorities have reported that Chinese naval vessels, including the aircraft carrier Shandong and an intelligence gathering ship, have been detected within Philippine territorial waters, marking a significant escalation in China's maritime presence in the disputed South China Sea region.
According to defense officials, the carrier Shandong (Hull Number 17) was spotted approximately 2.23 nautical miles from Babuyan Island, well within the Philippines' 12-nautical-mile territorial boundary. Simultaneously, the Type 0815A electronics surveillance vessel, designated AGI-797, was observed 33.11 nautical miles from Dalupiri Island.
"This is not merely an incursion into our Exclusive Economic Zone but a direct breach of our territorial sovereignty," said a senior official from the Philippine Department of National Defense who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. "The presence of China's second aircraft carrier so close to Philippine shores represents an unprecedented challenge to our maritime security."
Deliberate Provocation
Military experts suggest that the timing and positioning of these vessels constitute a deliberate provocation. Unlike previous incursions that remained within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), this incident crossed into territorial waters, representing a more aggressive posture from Beijing.
"China may attempt to claim 'innocent passage' rights under international law," explained Dr. Antonio Marquez, a maritime security specialist at the University of the Philippines. "However, there is no legitimate reason for an aircraft carrier battle group to navigate so close to Philippine territory, especially without prior notification to Philippine authorities as required by international maritime conventions."
The Chinese embassy in Manila has yet to respond to requests for comment on the incident.
Advanced Surveillance Capabilities Revealed
The high-quality imagery of the Chinese vessels has drawn attention to the Philippines' improved surveillance capabilities. Analysis of the photographs suggests they were captured by the Philippine Air Force's recently acquired Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), demonstrating the country's enhanced ability to monitor its territorial waters.
"The detection of these vessels highlights the importance of our ongoing modernization efforts," said a Philippine Air Force spokesperson. "Our upgraded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms provide crucial situational awareness across our vast maritime domains."
Timing Coincides with Military Exercises
The Chinese naval presence coincides with the ongoing Exercise Balikatan 40-2025, the annual joint military exercises between Philippine and U.S. forces. This year's exercises have focused heavily on maritime security and territorial defense scenarios.
Rear Admiral Felipe Manzano, one of the Philippine commanders overseeing the exercise, noted that the Chinese vessels' positions could provide valuable real-world targeting data for the maritime strike components of Balikatan.
"While we cannot comment on specific operational details, Exercise Balikatan incorporates various scenarios designed to enhance our ability to protect Philippine sovereignty," Manzano stated. "The current situation provides realistic conditions for our forces to assess their capabilities and interoperability."
Critical Need for Enhanced Missile Systems
The incursion has intensified calls from defense experts for the Philippines to accelerate its military modernization program, particularly the acquisition of advanced anti-ship missile systems capable of deterring aggression in Philippine waters.
Defense analysts point specifically to the need for a layered missile defense approach, combining the already-acquired medium-range Naval Strike Missile (NSM) deployed with the Marine Corps' NMESIS (Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) with longer-range systems like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
"This incident perfectly illustrates why the Philippines needs the BrahMos missile system as part of its Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Battery System," said military analyst Ricardo Domingo. "With a range exceeding 290 kilometers and supersonic speeds, the BrahMos would provide a critical deterrent capability that could send a clear message to any naval forces threatening Philippine sovereignty."
The BrahMos, jointly developed by India and Russia, is one of the world's fastest cruise missiles and can be deployed from various platforms, including mobile coastal defense batteries. Its integration into the Philippine defense architecture would significantly enhance the country's ability to defend its territorial waters.
"Having the BrahMos in our arsenal would fundamentally change the strategic calculus for any potential aggressor," continued Domingo. "Its precision strike capabilities and destructive power would force China's command and control centers to reconsider the risks of such provocative maneuvers in our waters."
Strategic Implications for Regional Security
The presence of China's aircraft carrier in Philippine territorial waters has broader implications for regional security dynamics. The Shandong, commissioned in 2019, represents China's growing naval power projection capabilities in the South China Sea.
"This incident marks a concerning new phase in China's maritime strategy," said Dr. Jasmine Tan, a regional security expert at the ASEAN Studies Center. "Moving a capital ship like an aircraft carrier into another nation's territorial waters signals a willingness to test boundaries and challenge established norms in increasingly provocative ways."
Regional neighbors, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, are closely monitoring the situation, as similar incursions could potentially affect their maritime claims in the disputed waters.
Diplomatic Response and International Support
The Department of Foreign Affairs has announced it is preparing a strongly worded diplomatic protest over the incursion. Foreign Secretary Manuel Bautista stated that the Philippines would also raise the issue with international partners, including the United States, Japan, and Australia.
"We are coordinating with like-minded nations who share our commitment to a rules-based international order," said Bautista. "These provocative actions by China undermine regional stability and violate the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."
U.S. Embassy officials in Manila expressed concern over the incident, reaffirming that the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines could be activated in the event of an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.
Ongoing Monitoring and Heightened Alert
Philippine defense forces remain on heightened alert as they continue to monitor the movement of the Chinese vessels. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has deployed additional assets to the region, including naval vessels and aircraft, to maintain surveillance on the Chinese fleet.
"Our forces remain professional but vigilant," said Armed Forces Chief General Roberto Santiago. "We are committed to protecting our territorial integrity through all available means while avoiding unnecessary escalation."
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the Philippines remains committed to defending its territorial integrity while pursuing diplomatic solutions to maritime disputes. However, defense experts emphasize that diplomatic efforts must be backed by credible military capabilities to effectively deter future incursions.