MANILA, Philippines – Nagsagawa ng Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) sa exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas ang mga militar mula sa Estados Unidos, Japan at Pilipinas.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ng US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) na ipinapakita sa event ang commitment ng tatlong bansa na palakasin ang regional at international cooperation para sa malaya at bukas na Indo-Pacific region.
“This builds upon previous MCAs and our continuing operations together, which strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures,” saad sa pahayag ng US Indo-Pacific Command.
“MCAs are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States,” dagdag pa nito.
Kabilang sa participating units ay ang P-8A Poseidon mula sa Patrol Squadron 47 ng US Navy; BRP Andres Bonifacio at C-90 ng Philippine Navy; at Japan Maritime Self Defense Force na Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare (DD 106).
“The U.S., along with our allies and partners, uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect to the maritime rights under international law,” ayon sa INDOPACOM.
Samantala, sinabi ng Armed Forces of the Philippines na maglalabas ito ng pahayag kaugnay sa aktibidad.
Isinagawa na rin ang ilang MCA sa West Philippine Sea, na mainit na inaangkin ng China.
Noong Abril ay lumahok sa MCA ang Australia, kasama ang Japan, US at Pilipinas.
New Zealand naman ang naging kalahok sa MCA noong Setyembre. RNT/JGC
