AFP: Other countries to join Philippines-United States maritime patrols

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from Japan and Australia, several other countries are willing to join the Philippines and the United States in patrolling the South China Sea, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“Other countries that are open to the idea will be identified later,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar told reporters in a statement sent on Viber.

On Sept. 14, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner disclosed that other countries have offered to join the joint patrols with the US.

“(The development) is a very good indication of the intent of like-minded countries to come together to promote the rules-based international order and to make sure that security in the Indo-Pacific region is maintained at all times,” Brawner told reporters at a joint press conference with Admiral John Aquilino of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

Australia and the Philippines conducted last month Exercise Alon, the first-ever bilateral amphibious exercise between the two countries.

Early this month, the two countries also conducted Exercise Carabaroo, a three-week bilateral exercise held at the Channel Island in Northern Territory, Australia.

In June, the Japanese coast guard joined the Philippines and the US for the weeklong Kaagapay Trilateral Exercise. Australia joined as an observer.

Another trilateral exercise among Japan, the US and Australia was held last month.

Aguilar recently denounced Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea after the latest incident on Aug. 5, in which the China Coast Guard (CCG) attempted to obstruct the Philippine Coast Guard’s resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

On Sept. 15, the AFP successfully conducted another resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, escorted by PCG vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan.

Two CCG ships, along with ten Chinese maritime militia vessels, made attempts to obstruct the Philippine ships, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported.

Another resupply mission was successfully carried out on Aug. 22.