'Navy ships experienced navigational interference'

THE Philippine Navy on Wednesday said its ships experienced interference with their navigational and communication systems caused by Chinese warships and bases during patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

- VICTOR REYES, Raymond Africa

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy's spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said these incidents were not a major concern, noting the Navy ships have back-up measures in place.

"We have experienced interference to our communications, to our navigation systems in the past," Trinidad told a phone interview, without saying how many times they have experienced such activities.

Trinidad said sensors and GPS of Navy ships were compromised during these interferences, which he said they have experienced as early as 2024.

He said there were also instances when audio from the communications systems of these ships was garbled. "There are times when what you hear is static," said Trinidad.

"These usually happen in the presence of PLA (People's Liberation Army) warships or near their (Chinese) features like Subic and Mischief Reefs," added Trinidad.