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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

PH-US joint patrols in WPS

If China reacted angrily to the presence of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in a recent Philippine-US joint air and sea patrol in the West Philippine Sea, that was to be expected, just as they protest loudly every time our Coast Guard or Navy vessels conduct regular patrols in our Exclusive Economic Zone in the vital sealane.

The Philippine-US joint patrol in the WPS is actually part of a maritime cooperative activity between the two allies.

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Held off the coast of Palawan, it featured warships, fighter jets and patrol aircraft, but, unlike before, it also had a symboil of American military power, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that’s part of the US Seventh Fleet based in the Indo-Pacific region.

The joint military exercise is described by our armed forces as “a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead,” Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

The Philippine Navy deployed the frigate BRP Antonio Luna and patrol ship BRP Andres Bonifacio, while the Philippine Air Force dispatched two FA-50 light fighter jets and search and rescue assets.

TheUS Navy sent a P-8A Poseidon of Task Force 72 alongside the Carrier Strike Group 1, which included the USS Carl Vinson, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS William P. Lawrence, an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, a V-22 Osprey helicopter, and two F-18 Hornet fighter jets.

The drills were the first for the year and the fifth since it started in 2023, according to the AFP. Partner countries such as Japan, Australia, and Canada had joined some of the previous patrols.

Security engagements between the two allies have soared under President Marcos, who has pivoted closer to Washington, allowing the expansion of military facilities that American forces can access, including those that face Taiwan.

The patrols coincided with the continued radio challenges by the Philippine Coast Guard to the presence of the 12,000-ton Chinese coast guard vessel called “The Monster” near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal since early January, which it said is illegally operating inside Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

At one point, the Chinese ship was sighted some 111 to 130 kilometers (60 to 70 nautical miles) off Zambales.

Indeed, our Coast Guard has pointed out that if China is genuinely committed to deescalating tensions and sincerely seeks to foster mutual trust and cooperation between our two nations, it should respect the Philippines’ sovereign rights in our EEZ and stop its provocative presence and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

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