Chinese ships are not as aggressive whenever Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vessels are accompanied by allies and friendly countries during joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was the observation of the Philippine Navy (PN) as it bared that Chinese vessels did not dare intercept the maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the Philippine Navy (PN) and French Navy in the WPS last week.
“During the conduct of the [maritime] cooperative activity [between] the French Navy and the Armed Forces, there were no [People’s Liberation Army] Navy, [China] Coast Guard, or maritime militia noted within close proximity. They were at a distance of more than 120 nautical miles away,” PN spokesperson for WPS Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Trinidad recognized that more and more countries are partnering with the Philippines to patrol the WPS, which, he said, makes it harder for China to exhibit aggressive actions against Philippine vessels.
“Actions of the government to bring in other nations to observe and protect the rules-based international order are very much welcome, and we have noted a marked decrease in the illegal and coercive actions of the PLA Navy each time there is a multilateral or bilateral maritime cooperative activity,” he said.
The PN and French Navy conducted an MCA in the WPS last Feb. 21.
The PN deployed warships BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS15), a Beechcraft King Air C90 utility aircraft, two FA50 fighter jets, and Philippine Air Force search and rescue (SAR) units.
Meanwhile, the French Navy utilized its aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle (R91), multi-mission destroyer Provence (D652), force supply vessel Jacques Chevallier (A725), air defense destroyer Forbin (D620), and Aquitaine-class frigate Alsace (D656).
Japanese assistance to PN
Aside from France, the PN also got a much-needed boost after Japan vowed to assist the Philippines in strengthening its maritime capabilities.
This, as PN Flag Officer in Command, Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta joined Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen when they visited the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Hamagiri (DD-155) at the South Harbor in Manila on Monday, Feb. 24, for a shipboard tour.
Nakatani emphasized that the activities of the JMSDF, which protect national security and global stability, “are crucial for strengthening ties and fostering mutual trust with countries like the Philippines.”
He also expressed hope that various exchange programs with the PN would further strengthen defense cooperation, “as the Philippines is a strategic partner that shares fundamental values with Japan.”
Ezpeleta thanked Nakatani for the continued collaboration between the JMSDF and the PN, noting it is crucial in achieving maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.