The Philippine Navy has reported that it monitored the presence of a Russian submarine in the waters of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) late last week, the Philippine Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement
The submarine, identified as the Russian Navy's Project 636.3 or Improved Kilo II-class diesel-electric boat Ufa, was first seen 80 nautical miles west off Occidental Mindoro province on Thursday, November 28.
The navy said it immediately despatched an aircraft and a vessel to track the movements of the submarine, which remained on the surface as it sailed slowly outside the Philippines' territorial waters. It was monitored by the navy frigate BRP Jose Rizal throughout its passage.
The PCO said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed concern over the reported presence of the submarine in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"All of that is very concerning," Mr Marcos told local media on Monday, December 2. "Any intrusion into the WPS, of our EEZ, [and] of our baselines is very worrisome."