PH, US military heads discuss expanding joint drills, EEZ awareness

The leaders of the Philippine and United States militaries discussed Tuesday (US time) the expansion of joint exercises and the importance of domain awareness in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a readout, Joint Staff spokesperson Navy Captain Jereal Dorsey said US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairperson General CQ Brown Jr. had a phone call with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.

"Gen. Brown and Gen. Brawner discussed military modernization initiatives, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites and increasing the scope and capacity of joint exercises in the Philippines," Dorsey said.

"Additionally, Gen. Brown emphasized the importance of domain awareness in their exclusive economic zone," Dorsey added.

According to the spokesperson, the US maintains close collaboration with the Philippines and remains committed to keeping a strong alliance founded upon shared strategic interests and democratic values.

On February 5, the Philippines and the US with Japan and Australia conducted a joint exercise within the Southeast Asian nation's EEZ in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

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

Chinese warships were monitored during the joint activity of the four countries in the WPS.

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.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

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