Manila, March 4 -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday denied reports made by Chinese media that the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal is polluting the West Philippine Sea by burning its waste materials.

In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the smoke seen from the vessel was due to a fire drill undertaken by its crew.

He added that this exercise was to ensure the "survivability and operational readiness" of the vessel.

"Such activity was conducted aboard BRP Sierra Madre last 28 February. The smoke incidentally went beyond what they were intending to exercise, nevertheless this was put under control, there was no dam...