Manila, April 24 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday confirmed that a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier, along with eight other ships, were spotted and monitored operating within the waters of Northern Luzon.

PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the aircraft carrier Shandong (CV-17), six destroyers and frigates, and two support vessels were first detected roughly 100 nautical miles northwest of Burgos, Ilocos Norte on April 22.

The destroyers and frigates are serving as the aircraft carrier's escorts while the support vessels are either tankers or replenishment ships providing the flotilla with fuel and other essential supplies.

"This was one of the larger or...