Philippines, US, Japan hold joint sail in West PH Sea

HONOLULU, USA — The United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) on Thursday, December 5 (Friday, December 6 in the Manila), said it held a joint sail with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JSDF) and the Philippine Navy in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

In a statement, the Indopacom said the joint sail, called a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) was meant to demonstrate “a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.” 

“This builds upon previous MCAs and our continuing operations together, which strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures. MCAs are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States,” said the INDOPACOMM, a US military command that operates from the coast of California to India. 

The following units participated in the activity: 

• US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 47
• Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio and a C-90
• JSDF’s Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare

“The US, along with our allies and partners, uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect to the maritime rights under international law,” said Indopacom in its statement. 

In September, the Philippines held an MCA with the US, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, the biggest MMCA to date. Previous iterations included Canada in a joint sail. Bilateral versions have also been held in the past, with the Philippines joining nations like the United States, Japan, Australia, and even France in sailing the West Philippine Sea.

The latest joint sail comes just days after twin incidents in the  West Philippine Sea involving Chinese vessels from the China Coast Guard or the Chinese Navy harassing Philippine ships in Scarborough Shoal and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. The Philippines condemned what it called “hostile actions” against its vessels.

A day earlier, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China over the December 4 incidents. – Rappler.com