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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, US joint patrol in SCS could be included in 'Balikatan', says Brawner

PH, US joint patrol in SCS could be included in 'Balikatan', says Brawner

Published Aug 22, 2023 10:15 am

At A Glance

  • The planned joint patrol operation between the Philippines and United States in the South China Sea (SCS) could be integrated in the "Balikatan" exercise.
  • AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said joint patrol exercises had happened in the previous iterations of Balikatan.
  • Balikatan is an annual military exercise between the AFP and the US Armed Forces.
  • If the planned joint patrol in the SCS becomes an integral part of Balikatan, Brawner said this could be done on a "consistent" basis.

The planned joint patrol operation between the Philippines and United States in the South China Sea (SCS) could be integrated in the “Balikatan” exercise, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday, August 21.

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Military personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and United States Armed Forces train together during the Balikatan exercise. (File photo: MANILA BULLETIN)

AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said joint patrol exercises had happened in the previous iterations of the most prominent military exercise between Manila and Washington, and it would only make sense if a patrol in the SCS will also take place in future Balikatan exercises.

“Ginagawa naman po natin ang joint exercise especially during Balikatan exercise so pwede itong maging parte ng Balikatan exercise, itong joint patrol (We are doing joint patrol [operations] especially during the Balikatan exercise so this could be part of Balikatan exercise),” Brawner said.

Authorities had said earlier that the Philippines and US are planning to hold joint patrols in SCS by the end of this year.

This comes as China continues its aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the latest of which was the firing of a water cannon at Philippine vessels that were on a resupply mission for troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal last August 5.

Right now, Brawner revealed that the planned joint patrol is still being carefully planned.

“Inaayos pa rin natin ang mga plano. Of course, kailangan rin na pumayag ang Estados Unidos doon sa proposal (We are still fixing the plans. Of course, United States should also agree to our proposal),” he said.

If the planned joint patrol in the SCS becomes an integral part of Balikatan, Brawner said this could be done on a “consistent” basis.

Balikatan is an annual military exercise between the AFP and the US Armed Forces.

Last April, the AFP and US Armed Forces held the biggest iteration of Balikatan with more than 17,600 participants.

This year’s Balikatan was highlighted by a sinking exercise (SINKEX) which was done for the first time by the two militaries. The exercise involved BRP Pangasinan (PS-31), a decommissioned Philippine Navy corvette, which was treated as a mock enemy vessel and sunk by AFP and US Armed Forces in the coastal waters of San Antonio, Zambales near the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Related Tags

AFP General Romeo Brawner Jr. South China Sea joint patrol PH-US alliance
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