Philippines, Japan, and US conclude joint naval drills

The Philippines, Japan, and the United States have completed four days of joint naval exercises in the Bashi Channel, located between the Philippines and Taiwan, marking the first time the drills expanded beyond the South China Sea.

According to Kyodo News, the exercises were conducted under the Philippines’ multilateral maritime cooperation program, which has previously included participation from countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Captain Jennifer Monforte, serving aboard the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna, told Kyodo News and other media representatives that the drills were intended to improve “the operational compatibility of our armed forces to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.” She added that the exercises should not be viewed as provocative or cause concern among neighbouring countries, while noting the “illegal presence” of two Chinese Navy vessels detected on separate days during the manoeuvres.

The Philippine military also reported that two FA-50 fighter jets from the Philippine Air Force, a P-3C patrol aircraft operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and a P-8A reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the US Navy carried out patrol flights on Tuesday over Batanes, an island group south of Taiwan that forms the northernmost province of the Philippines.

On the same day, Antonio Luna and the US Navy destroyer USS Dewey conducted joint drills that included anti-submarine warfare operations south of the Philippine maritime boundary near the Bashi Strait, a strategically important route for international shipping and trade, particularly in the event of a potential conflict involving Taiwan and China.

By Tamilla Hasanova