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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH rejects China's take on joint air patrol over West Philippine Sea

PH rejects China's take on joint air patrol over West Philippine Sea

Published Feb 21, 2024 08:51 am
PAF air patrol WPS.jpg
FA-50 light fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force fly with a B-52H bomber aircraft of the United States Pacific Air Force for its first ever combined air patrol over the West Philippine Sea on February 19, 2024. (Photo by PAF)

The Philippines, through the National Security Council (NSC), rejected China's assertion that it was stirring up trouble when it held a combined air patrol over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with the United States recently.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said the country's engagements with the US are well within its rights as a sovereign and independent nation, and such initiative was "aimed at promoting maritime security and upholding international law."

"The Philippines rejects China's assertion that joint patrols with US forces in the West Philippine Sea constitute stirring up trouble," Año, who also serves as the chairman of the National Task Force for West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), said in a statement on Wednesday, February 21.

"We reject any assertion from other countries that seeks to undermine our legal and legitimate activities," he added.

Año stressed that the joint air patrol conducted by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and United States Pacific Air Force (US PACAF) was a "lawful and routine exercise" which sought to enhance the interoperability of the two allied forces and promote regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the air patrol last February 19, the PAF sent three FA-50 light jet fighters while the US PACAF deployed a B-52H bomber aircraft. They started their flight at 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur and ended at 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro.

"These patrols help deter illegal activities, ensure freedom of navigation, and contribute to the protection of shared interests in the region," the NSA said.

Read: National Security Adviser Eduardo Año's full statement

But the combined air patrol did not sit well with China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea including areas within the 200-nautical mile EEZ of the Philippines or the West Philippine Sea despite a 2016 tribunal ruling that rejected their position.

The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China said it organized frontline naval and air forces to "closely monitor" the joint activity as it accused the Philippines of bringing "non-regional country to stir up trouble in the South China Sea" and "publicly hype up the air patrol."

Año explained that the air patrol was conducted inside the Philippine territory and international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), recognizes the sovereign rights of coastal states.

He said the combined air patrol forms part of the Philippines' longstanding defense cooperation with the US.

"We urge China to respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines conducted within its territory consistent with its national interests and international law," he said.

He said that China should adhere to established legal frameworks as it is crucial for fostering peaceful relations, stability and cooperation with the Philippines.

The NSA remains defiant as he said that the Philippines will continue to work closely with the US and other friends, allies and partners "to ensure a prosperous future for all nations in the Indo-Pacific region."

Read related story: PAF, US counterpart hold joint air patrol over West Philippine Sea; China says PH 'stirring up trouble'

Related Tags

Philippine Air Force (PAF) US Pacific Air Force PAF Eduardo Año PH-China National Security Adviser National Security Council West Philippine Sea
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