Philippines agrees to join ASEAN and US navies in patrolling the South China Sea

According to RFI, Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan said on March 19 that the country's Navy is ready to participate in joint patrols with the navies of Southeast Asian countries and the United States.

Mr. Jesus C. Millan gave the above information in response to the proposal from the Commander of the US 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Robert Thomas, that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries should establish a joint naval force to patrol the East Sea.

Illustrative photo. (Source: AFP)

Vice Admiral Millan said that the Manila government has always supported such joint patrol efforts. For the Philippine Navy leadership, Manila has supported joint anti-piracy patrols, such as in the Strait of Malacca, and they have been very successful. On that basis, the Philippines is ready to participate in joint patrols if the goal is to "protect stability and freedom of navigation at sea."

According to Mr. Millan, the framework for joint patrol activities must be drafted and supported by the relevant countries because this must be based on mutual trust.

However, the official also said that for disputed areas in the East Sea, the issue depends on the Philippine Government’s viewpoint because this is an issue that needs to be resolved by many different ministries and agencies. Disputed areas such as the East Sea may not be included in the scope of joint patrols./.

According to VNA