West PH Sea: PH, US, Japan, Australia hold joint drills anew

Amid China's recent intrusions in the West Philippine Sea, militaries from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia participated Wednesday in a joint exercise within the Southeast Asian nation's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the 6th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) was being conducted to show "a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

"This underscores our shared commitments to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," the AFP said.

According to the AFP, the naval and air force units of the four countries are set to operate together to enhance cooperation and interoperability among their militaries.

"The activity will be conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard for the safety of navigation, and the rights and interests of other States," the AFP said.

The MMCA was conducted after the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command said three Chinese warships were spotted in Philippine territorial waters. The vessels of People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China navigated through Mindoro Strait towards Sulu Sea.

WestMinCom chief Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete said China had no diplomatic coordination with the Philippines regarding the matter, and that these vessels maintained an "unusually" slow speed of 4 to 5 knots.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) two China Coast Guard vessels previously spotted as close as 34 nautical miles off Bolinao, Pangasinan have exited the Philippines' EEZ.

The air forces of the Philippines and the United States, meanwhile, held joint patrols Wednesday over the South China Sea, the Philippine Air Force said.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News