Philippines, the United States conducts its eighth contact maritime exercise in the South China Sea
go through Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, reporter
The Philippines and the United States conducted a joint maritime exercise in the controversial South China Sea on Wednesday to strengthen naval coordination between the two close allies and raise awareness of maritime on the waterways that China almost entirely claims.
Philippine Navy deploys latest warships BRP Miguel Malvarparticipate in naval exercises within the Manila exclusive economic zone of the U.S. Navy Missile Destroyer Curtis Wilburthe Philippine military said in a statement late Wednesday.
Also joins the Coast Guard BRP Cabra and BRP SuluanIt added that boarding and search operations were conducted to enhance law enforcement capabilities.
Romeo S., chief of military affairs of the Little Philippines.
Manila and Washington are long-term treaty allies and are working together to strengthen defense coordination as China’s confidence in the South China Sea increases, a key global trade route believed to be rich in minerals and oil deposits.
The two countries agreed to hold a Maritime Cooperation Activities (MCA) in disputed waters to help strengthen interoperability of their forces at sea. Since the practice began in 2023, Wednesday’s practice was fourth in the year and ranked eighth overall.
China claims that under its so-called nine broken lines, almost the entire South China Sea overlaps with exclusive economic zones in several countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.
With the development of the Philippines, the United States and other key allies, transnational military cooperation has become the new normal in the South China Sea to oppose China’s growing presence, which Manila and its partners believe is unstable for regional security.
“ 8Th The bilateral MCA strengthens the two countries’ common commitment to upholding international law, freedom of navigation and regional stability,” Mr Brawner said.
Naval exercises Seeing Philippine and U.S. Navy conducting exchange exercises means honing coordination agreements and contact reporting exercises designed to practice identityfiCation and reports of unknown ships in disputed waters.
The sailor also performed deck operations on the boat BRP Miguel Malvar Helicopter launch procedures are carried out at sea on warships as part of the joint exercise.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.fiCE (PCO).
It added that the conference was a platform for discussing important national strategic matters and reviewing the recent achievements of the military.
Southeast Asian countries adhere to their so-called integrated archipelago defense concepts as it shifts its focus from internal defense to external defense, a strategic hub designed to deal with maritime threats and maintain their vast territorial waters.
Palace Order
This also follows the directives of President Marcos directed by all state agencies to strengthen efforts to promote public understanding of the country’s maritime sphere and archipelago status, as Manila continues to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea.
According to Memorandum 87, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on July 11, Maracan ordered institutions to implement the movement for education, information dissemination and public participation, emphasizing the Philippines with maritime and archipelago.
“To improve and deepen understanding of the country’s maritime and archipelago issues, public awareness, national awareness and intergenerational awareness of the Philippines’ national territories and maritime regions must be strengthened,” the memorandum reads.
The directive is July 12, marking the ninth anniversary of the Philippines’ landmark victory in arbitration. In 2016, the Permanent Arbitration Court ruled that Beijing’s widespread claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis, which confirmed Manila’s rights within its exclusive economic zone.
The memorandum also urged local government departments and the private sector to support the program.
PCO will be the first to implement communication strategies to inform and engage the public, while the National Maritime Commission’s mission through the President’s Office of Maritime Care is to lead the year-round program to promote maritime awareness.
The committee is expected to organize activities for Maritime and Islands Advocacy Month each September.
Josue Raphael J. Cortez (Josue Raphael J.
“It is also a clear way to remind the public that it is necessary to maintain our territorial integrity, regardless of the strong foreign powers,” he said through Facebook Messenger chat.
He noted that the move was an effective way to demonstrate public commitment to the cause, which could also be extended to other areas of governance, especially the private sector and civil society.
Mr Cortez added: “Maximizing the important role of these sectors in furthering awareness of the vitality of our rights in these areas will surely have a positive impact on our pursuit of territorial integrity, thus defending everything we have in a comprehensive social approach given by defending our 2016 arbitral award.”
The move also demonstrates the country’s desire to promote normative performance of its capabilities, which responds to the fact that it remains a peace-loving country and resolves conflicts through diplomacy.
Meanwhile, a senator introduced a bill that aims to enable the Philippine Navy to establish forward-looking operational bases nationwide, which will serve as a strategic outpost near the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Under Senate Bill No. 340, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito attempted to provide the Navy with at least one billion pesos in its initial funding in pursuit of building bases in provinces such as Palawan, Zambales and Surigao del Norte.
“In view of the escalating geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, the institutionalization and funding of the Philippine Navy’s advance operation bases are fundamental requirements for national security,” the senator said in an explanatory note shared with reporters on Thursday.
