The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday rejected a Chinese claim that its naval forces conducted sea and air patrols in the South China Sea last week, saying what it was the continuous “illegal presence” of Chinese ships in the disputed sea. The statement by China’s Southern Theater Command was meant to reinforce Beijing’s position on key contested features in the waterway, and an attempt to shape the narrative in the South China Sea dispute, Philippine military spokeswoman Francel Margareth Padilla told a news briefing. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Basilio, K. C. L. (2025, June 18). Philippine military disputes Chinese claim of sea and air patrols. BusinessWorld, p. S1/12.