MANILA, March 4 -- The two Chinese research vessels earlier spotted in Philippine Rise (formerly known as Benham Rise) are now out of Philippine territory, a ranking naval official said Monday.

"Malayo na, labas na ng ating EEZ (They are now far, out of our exclusive economic zone). Nasa mga 800 miles na (They are 800 nautical miles away) as of yesterday [Sunday] morning," Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said in a radio interview.

The vessels did not stay long in Philippine territory and just passed through the country's EEZ and Benham Rise.

Their general direction is "southeast of the Pacific Ocean" and have a speed of between eight to 10 knots only, depending on weather c...