The air forces of the Philippines and the United States conducted joint patrols in the South China Sea on Tuesday (February 4), a Philippine Air Force spokesman said, adding that Manila observed three Chinese vessels in its maritime zones.
The one-day exercise will be held in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Air Force spokeswoman Maria Consuelo Castillo said, using the term for the waters of the South China Sea, which falls within Manila’s exclusive economic zone. Castillo said two Philippine FA-50 fighter jets and two U.S. B1-B bombers will participate in the exercise, which will include flying over Scarborough Shoal, a disputed maritime feature in the South China Sea controlled by China.
“This is not related to any specific issue. This is just part of our routine training,” Castillo told a news conference.
Defense cooperation between the two treaty allies has intensified under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing over their overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
During the meeting, the Philippine Navy said it was “closely monitoring” three Chinese naval vessels, including a Jiangkai-class guided-missile destroyer, in Manila’s maritime zones.
“The presence of the PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army-Navy) reflects the People’s Republic of China’s disregard for international law and undermines peace and stability in the region,” said Navy spokesman John Percy Alcos.
The Chinese fleet’s passage was in accordance with international law, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday, citing a PLA Southern Theater commander.
