The armed forces of five nations—Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand—conducted
Published September 29, 2024
MANILA: The armed forces of five countries conducted joint maritime exercises in a portion of the South China Sea on Saturday as China carried out its own military drills in the disputed waterway
The exercises involving the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan and – for the first time – New Zealand took place in Manila’s exclusive economic zone and sought to improve the militaries’ interoperability, the Philippine armed forces said in a statement. Saturday’s exercises included a Philippine warship, the United States’ USS Howard, Japan’s JS Sazanami, and New Zealand’s HMNZS Aotearoa, it added.
Australia’s Department of Defence said the drills demonstrated “our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific”.
The exercises follow a series of air and sea encounters between the Philippines and China, which have sparred over disputed areas of the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, one of Asia’s most contested features. The shoal has been occupied by China’s coast guard for more than a decade.
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SOURCE: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
RELATED: Chinese vessels tail PH, allies in WPS maritime exercise
MARITIME EXERCISE. Missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) conducts maritime patrol in the West Philippine Sea on Sept. 22, 2024. The Philippines has been strengthening its military capabilities and cooperation with allies amid the dispute in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo courtesy of Western Command)
Published September 29, 2024
MANILA – China’s navy vessels tailed the Philippines’ joint maritime exercise with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military monitored People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels in the vicinity of the exercise on Saturday.
“However, the [multilateral maritime cooperative activity] proceeded as planned without any interference, and the safety of participating countries’ vessels was ensured by the protocols in place,” Padilla said.
“While there were observations of PLAN vessels tailing during the MMCA, no reports were received regarding the conduct of the alleged Chinese military exercise,” she added.
It was the fourth MMCA in the contested waterways.
The first MMCA, composed of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, was held within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the WPS in April.
The Royal Canadian Navy joined the second and third sails held June and August, respectively.
Padilla said the AFP views the MMCA as a “pivotal demonstration of international cooperation, strengthening partnerships and enhancing the capabilities of allied nations.”
“This collaborative approach is essential in maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment in the region” she said.
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SOURCE: www.pna.gov.ph
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