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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP: More joint patrols in West Philippine Sea underway

AFP: More joint patrols in West Philippine Sea underway

Published Feb 23, 2024 08:29 am
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(Front to back) BRP Gregorio del Pilar, BRP Jose Rizal, and USS Gabriel Gaffords (LCS-10) conduct tactical maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 23, 2023 as part of the Philippines-United Staes Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA). (Photo by Armed Forces of the Philippines)

In the coming months, the public can expect more joint patrol operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDO PACOM), highlighting the progress of the defense and security relationship between the two allies.

AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. made the announcement on Friday, February 23, when he met with US generals and flag officers from the Capstone Pacific Program at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Capstone is a five-week course for newly selected generals and flag officers in the US.

According to the AFP Chief, he received a commitment from Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the US INDO PACOM, to increase the frequency of the Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) between their forces.

"We are going to do those activities more; we will increase the frequency and its range," Brawner said.

"He [Aquilino] told me that he's ready when we are ready," the military chief added.

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(L-R) Capstone Pacific Program senior fellow US Marine Corps General John F. Kelly (Ret.) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. (Photo by AFP)

During his meeting with the Capstone delegates led by senior fellow and retired US Marine Corps General John F. Kelly, Brawner emphasized the need to uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.

The AFP has conducted three MCAs marked by joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea with counterparts from the US as part of efforts to maintain their presence in the West Philippine Sea despite China's aggression.

The first one was held from November 21 to 23, 2023; the second one on January 3 to 4; and the third was on February 9.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Force (PACAF) also conducted a combined air patrol over the West Philippine Sea on February 19 as part of the second phase of the third MCA.

Aside from Brawner, the Capstone delegates also visited Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

The defense chief reaffirmed the importance of the Philippines' alliance with "like-minded" countries such as the US and Australia, with which the country has Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).

He shared that the DND was working towards the capability upgrade of the AFP to protect the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), parts of which are being claimed by China.

He underscored the pivotal role of the Philippines-US defense cooperation in maintaining regional peace and prosperity while giving updates on the status of the nine agreed locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) where American troops can be rotated in the country for joint trainings and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response (HADR) operations.

The EDCA sites are located at Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City, Antonio Bautista Air Base and Balabac Island in Palawan, Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, Lal-lo Airport and Naval Base Camilo Osias in Cagayan; and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Isabela.

Related Tags

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) AFP West Philippine Sea (WPS) DND PH-China Department of National Defense PH-US alliance
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