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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider After US, PH sails with Canadian Navy in WPS

After US, PH sails with Canadian Navy in WPS

Published Sep 22, 2023 05:23 am
WPS.jpg
Philippine Navy guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) and Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH341) complete a bilateral sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Sept. 21, 2023. (Photo by Armed Forces of the Philippines)

Philippine Navy (PN) guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) completed a bilateral sail with Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH341) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Thursday, Sept. 21, marking the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) latest effort to strengthen its presence in the tension-filled waters by patrolling with “like-minded” countries.

The bilateral sail started at 7:23 a.m. when BRP Antonio Luna and HMCS Ottawa “met and established radio communications” in the vicinity of Malampaya Natural Gas Platform in Palawan, said Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of AFP public affairs office.

The two frigates performed Officers of the Watch (OOWs) maneuvers where they navigated in close formation while changing course, speed and the formation's shape using a series of pre-determined military messages. This lasted until around 10 a.m.

PN naval helicopter NH431 also flew over the two vessels to monitor their movements during the joint sail.

“The joint sail is part of the Philippine Navy's regular engagements with its partners in the Philippines' maritime zones. Bravo Zulu (Well done) to all the personnel of both ships and those who planned this activity,” Ileto said.

The activity followed the joint sail by BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) with United States Navy’s USS Ralph Johnson in the WPS on Sept. 4 for a division tactics mission.

Both events, according to Ileto, signified the "shared commitment" of the Philippines, United States, and Canada in “promoting a rules-based international order” in WPS and a “free and open” Indo-Pacific region. 

This, amid China’s recent activities in the WPS, including the reported destruction of coral reefs in Rozul (Iroquis) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal which was linked by the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard to the swarming of Chinese militia.

The national government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), is considering the filing of a complaint against China for the damage to its coral reefs before an international court.

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the Philippines’ accusations “have no factual basis,” despite the release of video footages taken by Philippine Navy divers during underwater surveys that showed the apparent crushed coral reefs in the seabed of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal.

“We urge relevant party of the Philippines to stop creating a political drama from fiction,” the official said.

Related Tags

joint patrol West Philippine Sea PH-Canada Philippine Navy
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