Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday it was closely monitoring reports of a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/7/29/commercial-sea-drone-captures-footage-of-chinese-warship-in-ph-waters-2053">People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessel and an unmanned surface vessel </a>allegedly operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).</p><p>AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad (Reserve) said the military was coordinating with other maritime agencies to verify and track the reported presence of the foreign vessels.</p><p>In a report by Reuters, California-based Seasats—a six-year-old producer of autonomous surface vessels—captured footage on June 16 of a Chinese Type 052D guided-missile destroyer using its Lightfish unmanned surface vessel.</p><p>The drone reportedly approached the Chinese warship about 105 kilometers northwest of Luzon.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/30/afp-monitors-26-chinese-naval-coast-guard-ships-in-west-ph-sea-in-past-week-1318">AFP monitors 26 Chinese naval, coast guard ships in West PH Sea in past week </a></div><p>Reuters said it independently verified the authenticity of the footage, the vessel’s identity and the location based on Seasats’ data and the original file metadata.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_llApAce6_M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>According to Seasats, its unmanned surface vessels have had multiple encounters with Chinese naval vessels, including Type 052 and Type 055 destroyers and Type 056 corvettes.</p><p>“We have monitored and are monitoring any presence of foreign ships in our EEZ,” Trinidad told defense reporters in a text message, adding that he would check the whereabouts of the particular Chinese vessel from the reported dates up to the present.</p><p>The official said there was no indication of any immediate threat to public safety or national security.</p><p>He also urged the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and rely only on verified information from official government sources.</p><p>“The AFP will continue to monitor developments and perform its mandate of safeguarding the country&#x27;s maritime interests,” Trinidad said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/7/29/philsa-issues-advisory-on-debris-from-recent-chinese-rocket-launch-2126">PhilSA issues advisory on debris from recent Chinese rocket launch</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/24/china-again-uses-water-cannon-on-ph-vessels-1142">China again uses water cannon on PH vessels </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/22/philippines-clash-has-not-changed-south-china-sea-code-hopes-chinese-envoy-0820">Philippines clash &#x27;has not changed&#x27; South China Sea code hopes: Chinese envoy </a></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday it was closely monitoring reports of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessel and an unmanned surface vessel allegedly operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday it was closely monitoring reports of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) vessel and an unmanned surface vessel allegedly operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

AFP monitoring reported Chinese warship, unmanned vessel in Philippine EEZ

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

AFP monitoring reported Chinese warship, unmanned vessel in Philippine EEZ

Agence France-Presse

Published July 31, 2026 11:49 AM PHT

Read More:

Armed Forces of the Philippines

commercial sea drone

unmanned vessel

Chinese warship

People’s Liberation Army Navy

West Philippine Sea

Luzon

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.