Chinese warship caught loitering in Zambales watersA People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship loiters off the coast of Zambales on Dec. 17, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy (PN) responded to a Chinese warship caught loitering in the waters of Zambales, sending two ships to assert the country’s rights over its sovereign waters. In a statement, the PN said that on December 17, it received reports of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), off the waters of Zambales. The warship was a PLAN Jiangkai II (Type 054A)–class frigate, bow number 569. After the Navy confirmed the presence of the Chinese warship, the BRP Diego Silang was also deployed as reinforcement.

Source: Philippine Star December 24, 2025 13:26 UTC