Philippines, US Navies Conduct Joint Sail In South China Sea

The Philippines and the United States recently conducted a joint sail in parts of the South China Sea. This is the first time the two countries have carried out such an operation in the waters west of Palawan island. 

The joint sail is seen as a display of cooperation between the Philippines and the US, especially in light of the heightened tension between the Philippines and China. 

China claims a large portion of the South China Sea, which has been a source of conflict with neighboring countries. 

The joint sail involved the Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate and the US Navy’s guided missile-destroyer, during which they practiced maneuvering near other vessels. 

The purpose of the joint sail was to test and refine existing maritime doctrine. The Philippines has been vocal about China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including the use of a water cannon against a Philippine vessel. 

China has built militarized islands in the region, and its claim of sovereignty overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of several countries. 

In 2016, the Philippines won an international arbitration award against China, which stated that China’s claim to sovereignty had no legal basis.

China has recently issued its controversial new standard map, claiming some regions of South China Sea and different regions of Asia Pacific countries including the Philippines,  India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Consequently India slammed China and said that it will not compromise on its territorial integrity and threaten to take strict actions. Following India, the Phillipines and 4 more countries also criticized China.

The Philippines has deployed a guided-missile frigate, while the US has deployed a guided-missile destroyer. The two navies will also be practicing tactics together to enhance their ability to work together. 

The maritime operation is aimed at maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has stated that they will continue to participate in similar activities to protect the country’s sovereignty and territory.

The U.S. military is also in talks to develop a civilian port in the Batanes islands of the Philippines, which are strategically located near Taiwan. 

The proposed port would provide the U.S. with increased access to the region, which is considered a choke point for vessels moving between the western Pacific and the South China Sea. 

The move could escalate tensions with China, which regularly sends ships and aircraft through the area. The Philippines has been increasing its military cooperation with the U.S. in recent years, and the proposed port would further strengthen their alliance.