MANILA, Philippines – Nilinaw ng Philippine Navy nitong Lunes, Pebrero 17, na ang foreign warships na namataan malapit sa Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, ay pagmamay-ari ng France, United States at Japan. Hindi umano ito pagmamay-ari ng China.
Ipinaliwanag ng PN na ang United States Navy, Marine Nationale, at Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ay nagsasagawa ng naval exercises sa Philippine Sea bilang bahagi ng “Exercise Pacific Steller 2025.”
“These are not Chinese warships; these are foreign vessels composed of the French Navy, U.S. Navy, and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force that are conducting a naval exercise hosted by the French Navy in the Philippine Sea dubbed as ‘Exercise Pacific Steller 2025’ which started last February 8, 2025. This exercise is a multi-large deck event (MLDE) designed to advance coordination and cooperation among French, Japanese, and U.S. maritime forces,” pahayag ng Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL).
Dagdag pa ng PN, ang French Navy flotilla, na pinangungunahan ng aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) ay nagsisilbing opposing force laban sa American at Japanese forces sa naturang exercise na naka-sentro sa USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) at JS Kaga (DDH184), at kanilang mga escort.
“According to the US Pacific Fleet, this exercise is to promote a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific space for the benefit of French populations, interests, and those of their regional partners, within the framework of international law,” pagpapatuloy ng pahayag ng NAVFORSOL.
Nananatili naman ang Philippine Navy sa pamamagitan ng NAVFORSOL na magiging “vigilant in monitoring and patrolling our maritime seas for the safety and security of our people.” RNT/JGC
