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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, US navies agree to keep Indo-Pacific region 'free, open'

PH, US navies agree to keep Indo-Pacific region 'free, open'

Published Feb 23, 2022 01:38 pm

Amid the on-going maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Navy (PN) found a strong ally in the United States Navy as both countries commit to help each other in times of need.

Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado, Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, discusses bilateral ties with Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander of United States Navy's 7th Fleet, at the Hall of Flags, PN Headquarters in Manila on Feb. 22, 2022. (Courtesy of PN)

Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado, PN Flag Officer in Command, and Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, Commander of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, reaffirmed both navies’ "enduring" relationship and cooperation during the latter’s courtesy visit at the PN headquarters in Manila on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

“We should always keep our lines of communication open so that whenever we need something and you need help also, we can extend things the best way as an ally,” Bordado told Thomas.

Meanwhile, Thomas thanked Bordado for his support to a “free and open” Indo-Pacific Region.

He also stressed the importance of high-level discussion between both navies which “is some of the things that we can do together to try and improve our interoperability and improve our strong alliance.”

According to the PN, Thomas’ visit was among the “routine interactions” between the PN and its US counterpart that “greatly contributes to the sustainment and furtherance of both countries’ bilateral relations.”

The 7th Fleet is the largest of the US Navy’s forward deployed fleet which maintains a continuous forward presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Its area of operation covers more than 36.1 million square nautical miles spanning from the International Date Line to the India / Pakistan border; and from Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South.

This encompasses 36 maritime countries and five mutual defense treaty (MDT) allies namely Australia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Philippines.

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2232022 United States Navy Indo-Pacific Region
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