Philippines, US hold joint patrol in disputed South China Sea

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Philippines and the US on Wednesday began a two-day joint patrol in the disputed South China Sea.

The two nations held the first such joint exercise in November.

“The two-day bilateral event will conduct passing exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint patrols, Officer of the Watch maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations,” said a statement by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The AFP deployed four vessels, a multi-role helicopter, and an anti-submarine warfare capable helicopter, while the US forces deployed an aircraft carrier, a cruiser, two destroyers and multiple combat aircraft, the statement said.

Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., chief of staff of the AFP, underscored the significance of the second maritime cooperative activity, terming it a “significant leap in our alliance and interoperability with the US.”

“Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world. We are advancing a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific region when facing regional challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, China's People's Liberation Army is also carrying out two-day routine patrols in the South China Sea, state media reported.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve conflicting island and maritime claims in the region by several sovereign states, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.