The Philippines and India are set to launch their first-ever bilateral maritime patrol in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), specifically within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. made the announcement during an event aboard the Indian Navy vessel INS Shakti on Thursday evening.
This joint maritime initiative is a direct result of discussions held during the Raisina Dialogue 2025, a prominent global security forum convened in New Delhi, India.
Brawner’s attendance marked the AFP’s debut participation in the dialogue, which brings together international policymakers, defense officials, and strategic experts to address pressing security and geopolitical challenges.
“In that bilateral meeting, I invited the Indian Armed Forces to come to the Philippines to join our joint sail. And so, here we are now, four months after that bilateral meeting with this port call of these three Indian Navy [vessels],” Brawner said, highlighting the swift progression of their defense cooperation.
The docking of the Indian destroyers is more than a mere ceremonial visit, Brawner emphasized.
“It precedes a significant milestone — he first ever joint maritime patrol between the Philippine Navy and the Indian Navy in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Brawner emphasized that the coordinated patrol serves as a “clear demonstration” of both nations’ shared commitment to protecting freedom of navigation and upholding international maritime law in a region that is critical to global trade and security.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said three China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were seen at the Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal) while three Chinese research ships were monitored inside the Philippine EEZ on Thursday morning.
In a virtual interview, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the CCG vessels at Bajo de Masinloc were identified as the CCG 4203, CCG 5303 and CCG 3502.
“The PCG is monitoring the presence of the three CCG vessels that returned to vicinity of Bajo De Masinloc. As a matter of fact, the Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has deployed our Coast Guard vessel to once again carry out our maritime law enforcement patrol here,” he said.
The Indian Navy warships – INS Mysore, a guided missile destroyer; INS Kiltan, an anti-submarine warfare corvette; and INS Shakti, a fleet tanker are currently docked in Manila.
