MANILA: The Philippines and the United States began a two-day joint patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday, the Philippine military said in a statement.
Security engagements between the treaty allies soared last year amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.
The Philippines and the US first launched joint patrols in November, holding military drills for three days in waters near Taiwan and in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippine military said their second joint patrol this week involved four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships from the US Indo-Pacific command that include an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and two destroyers.
Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner said the second such joint military activity this week marked a “significant leap” in Manila’s alliance with the US and its interoperability with the American military.
“Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world. We are advancing a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of regional challenges,” Brawner said. — Reuters
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