Navy: Chinese ships in PH Rise only evading storm

Metro Manila, Philippines — Chinese ships were seen in the Philippine Rise east of the country, but the Navy said these just passed to avoid a storm.

In a post on X, maritime expert Ray Powell said two Chinese research ships have entered the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the vessels from mainland China were not a cause for alarm.

“We tracked them two days ago and I could say, they could probably be evading the typhoon. Their general direction would show that they are southward, southbound,” Trinidad said in a chance interview on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

“This also happened in the previous report of two research vessels just after the storm. So, nothing to be scared of,” he continued.

Typhoon Marce is moving closer to land.

As of 2 p.m., the weather bureau said it was 295 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.