December 8 ------ Russia said that its submarine that was spotted in Occidental Mindoro last week did not violate any international law. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), all merchant vessels and warships, including submarines, enjoy freedom of navigation on the high seas.
And the only condition is to respect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the coastal space in the maritime space the vessel is passing. "The submarine did not violate the Philippine economic zone regime in any way," Zakharova said in a statement. She also said its Ufa 490 moved on the surface at lawful speed, without entering the territorial sea of the Philippines. The ship also maintained radio contact with Philippine authorities, which proved that "she has no unscrupulous intentions," Zakharova added.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday, Dec. 2, confirmed that it detected the Russian diesel-electric attack submarine "Ufa 490" in Occidental Mindoro on Nov. 28 before it surfaced in the West Philippine Sea. According to the Philippine Navy (PN), it immediately deployed assets to monitor and address the situation upon the spotting of the ship to ensure the security of Philippine waters.
The sighting came in the wake of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s announcement that Ufa conducted a passage exercise (PASSEX) with Malaysian Navy vessels in the South China Sea. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for WPS Trinidad, said that the PN's BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) established radio communications with the Russian submarine, which confirmed its identity, crew complacent, and navigational intent. Four different aircraft were also sent to monitor the submarine. "The Russian vessel stated it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok, Russia," Trinidad explained. "Philippine naval forces, including FF150, escorted and monitored operations to ensure the submarine's compliance with maritime regulations within the Philippine exclusive economic zone," he said.
Source: mb.com.ph
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