THE United States, Australia, and the Philippines and conducted naval and air patrols in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea on Tuesday amid China’s pronouncements that such actions are causing “disturbances” in the region.
The exercises, said Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr yesterday, “are vital in strengthening our collective defense posture and operational readiness.”
The one-day activity, conducted within the joint operational area of the AFP Northern Luzon Command, was part of the 9th multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA).
“The 9th MMCA demonstrates the growing synergy among like-minded partners in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Brawner said.
Last Monday’s MMCA was the ninth among the US, the Philippines, and other nations since April last year. Three of these activities were held this year — one in February, the other in March and last Monday.
The Armed Forces, in a statement, said key naval and air assets from the US, the Philippines and Australia were involved in the latest MMCA, “showcasing a strong commitment to regional security, interoperability, and cooperation in support of a rules-based international order.”
The US deployed F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft, and B-1B bomber aircraft while Australia sent its warship HMAS Sydney.
The Philippines used the frigate BRP Antonio Luna, an AW-159 anti-submarine helicopter, three FA-50 fighter jets, and Air Force search and rescue assets.
The exercises conducted during the MMCA include communications check, rotary flight operations/vertical replenishment, division tactics, and photo exercise.
“Air patrols and an anti-submarine warfare exercise were also conducted, demonstrating multi-domain coordination and shared maritime security objectives,” the military said.
“This multilateral engagement reaffirms the AFP’s commitment to fostering international cooperation, maintaining maritime security, and safeguarding Philippine sovereignty in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” it added.
The Philippine Air Force, in a statement on Tuesday night, said the activity was meant to “strengthen collaboration and enhance interoperability” among the participating countries.
“With this, the PAF reinforces its commitment and operational readiness to support the AFP’s mission in safeguarding the country’s territory and sovereign rights and promote a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region,” said PAF spokesperson Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo.
The activity was held after the military sighted a Chinese carrier battle group, composed of the Shandong aircraft carrier and eight other warships and support vessels, at the country’s northern coast last April 22. The carrier group travelled from west to east.
On April 25, the Shandong aircraft carrier was monitored moving east to west.
The following day, the aircraft carrier and another warship were sighted 120 nautical miles northwest of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, conducting flight deck operations.
China has described the Balikatan exercise as provocative. Australia is an active participant to the Balikatan which includes a number of countries as observers, including Japan.
China’s Southern Theater Command said in a statement the Philippines “has been frequently carrying out maritime infringement provocations, creating disturbances and pulling in countries from outside the region to organize so-called ‘joint patrols.’”
The command said it conducted naval drills in the South China Sea, adding its troops are on “high level of alert” and a resolute in defending their territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interest.
Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, in a statement yesterday, defended the conduct of such patrols and drills by Philippines, the US and other allies.
“The conduct of joint exercises and maritime domain awareness operations within our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone is not a provocation — it is preparedness. These are deliberate, lawful actions anchored on international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and rooted in responsible, forward-looking defense,” said Padilla.
Padilla said the activities reflect the shared values and commitment to “safeguarding peace, security, and the rules-based international rules-based international order.”
“These collaborative efforts reinforce not just military capability but mutual trust and strategic interoperability,” said Padilla.
Padilla said no country can dictate to the Philippines how to defend itself, noting that Philippines is a sovereign state.
