AFP: Naval drills in West Philippine Sea successful

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines, United States, Japan and Australia successfully concluded yesterday the joint naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the face of rising maritime aggression, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

The four countries held their first ever Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“The MCA has successfully concluded,” AFP Public Affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad declared.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the first ever MCA is a “show of unity” to China, as Beijing is “expected” to malign the exercise through propaganda.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the Philippines always welcomes opportunities to work with like-minded countries to further enhance the capabilities of the AFP and strengthen interoperability with partner nations.

“We’re just practicing what’s allowed under international law. As I said it’s a show of unity. If they (China) consider it as a show of force, that’s up to them,” Andolong said.

“What we’re doing is something that’s practiced by all civilized nations in the world and what’s important is that we’re doing this in the name of our national interest in the Philippines. As I mentioned, what we’re getting out of this is the enhancement of our capability and our interoperability with our partners,” he added.

China yesterday also conducted military “combat patrols” in the South China Sea (SCS), describing the counterpart quad naval exercises as “creating buzzes.”

Andolong said China is expected to belittle the exercise as they always do. “We already expect that they will malign through propaganda what we are doing in this MCA,” he said.

The MCA aims to enhance regional maritime security cooperation among the four countries, and promote freedom of navigation toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Various tactical trainings would be held including anti-submarine warfare training, tactical exercise and link exercise.

Contrary to apprehension that quad naval drills in the West Philippine Sea may provoke China, Sen. Francis Tolentino said the program will help realize peace and stability in the region and