THE Chinese vessels on Thursday swarmed and attentively watched as Philippine troops conducted an island seizure exercise in nearby Philippine-held Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., on board a Philippine Navy ship, witnessed how Chinese ships came from a far fronting where Filipino soldiers perform an interoperability Joint Exercise AJEX DAGIT-PA (Dagat-Langit-Lupa) in the WPS.
Brawner said Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels and maritime militia ships were seen in the vicinity of Kota Island from a distance.
'While we were conducting this exercise we saw our neighbors (China) sent ships. We saw PLA navy vessels and militia vessels swarm in our vicinity,' Brawner said.
The 10.9 hectare Kota Island is among the nine Philippine-held islands in the WPS that include Pagasa, Likas, Panata, Parola, Lawak, Patag, Patag and Ayungin.
During the planning stage of the exercise, the probability of Chinese presence had been anticipated, prompting military commanders to formulate a strategy.
Brawner sensed that the Chinese were watchful of what the troops were doing as the exercises went on.
'Their presence ... we are expecting it already. They are watching us on what we are doing,' Brawner said.
'I Think they were curious about what the troops were doing, but we welcome that, it adds realism to the exercise.'
He, however, said that the Chinese did not interfere in the exercises.
'They just observe and watch and no interruption to the exercise,' he said.
During the exercise, troops from the Navy and Air Force demonstrated a simulated island seizure of Kota Island.
'This a defense exercise. We are doing ... in the assumption we would like to redeem our own island,' Brawner said.
'If ever something happens an external force intrudes in our territory or sovereign areas, the AFP should first depend on our nation before we ask help from other countries like our allies.'
Brawner said the exercise marks a significant step in strengthening the country's national defense capabilities.