By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Contrary to some fears, the Philippines and the United States have smoothly conducted their third joint patrol in the West Philippines Sea.
On Friday (February 9), the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and AW109 Helicopter, together with the U.S. Navy’s USS Gabrielle Giffords embarked with an MH-60S Sea Hawk that was seen sailing together in the joint maritime cooperative activity (MCA) within the western section of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The MCA has become a routine activity for both Filipino and U.S. militaries to continuously enhance interoperability through the conduct of maritime security and maritime domain awareness operations,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement.
There was no mention of any China vessel interfering in any way the joint patrol of the Philippines and US.
But as far as China is concerned, its claim to the South China Sea, which includes the WPS, can be traced back centuries and is embodied in the nine-dash line.
On 12 July 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines v. The People’s Republic of China) issued a unanimous award favoring the Philippines.
The US, being an old ally, has vowed to defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack by external forces.
(el Amigo/MNM)