TWO modern warships of the Philippine Navy have conducted maneuver exercises near Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal in an apparent attempt to drive away dozens of Chinese vessels attempting to intrude and gain control over the shoal.

The Western Command-based Puerto Princesa reported that the BRP Antonio Luna, a Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigate along with BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a Hamilton-class high endurance cutter, cruised side-by-side near Ayungin Shoal where a grounded BRP Sierra Madre floats in shallow waters and corals.