France ready to hold joint patrols in West PH Sea

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 7) — France is open to holding maritime joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as Manila pursues maritime cooperation with more countries amid growing tensions in the region.

In a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said joint patrols could be among the activities to be conducted once the proposed defense pact or Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with the Philippines has been finalized.

«If we finalize the negotiations of the effect that will also be complementary to other possibilities like joint patrol someday, let's see what happens in the future,» Fontanel said.

France is also among countries willing to join multilateral patrols with the Philippines next year, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner.

Fontanel said while Paris is ready, a framework is required by Manila to proceed with the patrols.

«We are ready. We've always been taught by the Philippines that the Philippines would need this agreement under your constitution,» she explained.

Following the recent significant visit of French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu in Manila and the signing of the Letter of Intent for the proposed SOVFA, Fontanel said she hopes to kickstart the negotiations soon.

Fontanel added that aside from joint patrols, the proposed defense pact could also cover «all the fields of strategic forces, Air Force, Navy, Intel, and the availability of systems» between the militaries of the two countries.

The French envoy also expressed concern and said they are closely monitoring developments in the WPS.