2-12-2024 (MANILA) A Russian attack submarine’s presence in Philippine territorial waters has triggered serious security concerns, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressing grave worries about the unprecedented maritime incident on Monday.
The sophisticated Kilo-class submarine was detected approximately 80 nautical miles from Occidental Mindoro province on 28 November, marking a significant development in the increasingly complex maritime dynamics of the South China Sea region.
“Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, our exclusive economic zone, or our baselines is deeply worrying,” President Marcos told journalists at a press briefing in Manila, highlighting the mounting tensions in the contested waters.
Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed that the Philippine navy frigate Jose Rizal established communication with the Russian vessel, identified as UFA 490. The submarine’s crew reportedly cited adverse weather conditions as the reason for their presence, claiming they were awaiting improved conditions before continuing their journey to Vladivostok.
Maritime experts note that the Kilo-class submarine, renowned for its exceptional stealth capabilities, represents one of the most advanced underwater vessels in modern naval warfare. These submarines have undergone continuous refinements since their initial deployment in the 1980s.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of strengthening ties between Russia and China, who declared an unrestricted partnership during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Beijing visit in 2022, shortly before Russia’s Ukraine invasion. The two nations demonstrated their military cooperation through joint naval exercises in the South China Sea this July.
The situation adds another layer of complexity to the already strained maritime relations in the region, particularly between Manila and Beijing. The Philippines, a longstanding US treaty ally, has experienced escalating tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidating Beijing’s expansive maritime claims—a decision that China continues to reject.
