Manila, Feb. 11 -- The Chinese Research Vessel (CRV) Lan Hai 101 is expected to steam into the Philippines' northern territory late Tuesday afternoon or early evening, a ranking naval official said.

In an interview, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Chinese ship was spotted navigating "northward, almost true north."

"As we speak right now, nasa mga bandang west ng Subic Bay yan (the CRV is west of Subic Bay). That's around four or five hours from Cabra (Island) at (a) speed of 12 (knots)," he added.

Trinidad estimated that this is equivalent to around 60 nautical miles.

"We expect probably by late afternoon or early evening (Tuesday) nasa, (the CRV will be at the)...