MANILA, Philippines – Nakatakdang magsagawa ng joint maritime activity ang Pilipinas, Australia, Japan at Estados Unidos sa loob ng exclusive economic zone ng bansa bukas, Abril 7.
Sa joint statement nitong Sabado, sinabi ng defense chiefs ng apat na bansa na layon ng pagsasagawa ng Maritime Cooperative Activity sa EEZ ng Pilipinas na “uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, and respect for maritime rights under international law, reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
Isasagawa ng defense forces ng apat na bansa ang maritime activity “demonstrating our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
“The Maritime Cooperative Activity will be conducted by naval/maritime and air force units in a manner that is consistent with international law as well as domestic laws and rules of respective nations, and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states,” saad sa pahayag.
“It will also demonstrate professional interactions among naval/maritime and air forces,” dagdag pa niya.
Iniulat ng Kyodo news agency na planong magsagawa ng anti-submarine drills ang apat na bansa sa South China Sea bukas.
Ang pagsasagawa ng Maritime Cooperative Activity ay kasunod ng panghaharass ng China Coast Guard sa mga barko ng Pilipinas sa resupply missions nito sa Ayungin Shoal. Pitong manlalayag ang nasaktan sa dalawang magkahiwalay na insidente ng water cannon attack noong nakaraang buwan.
Signatories sa joint statement sina Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Japan Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, at US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III.
“Ultimately, the Maritime Cooperative Activity will strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures,” sinabi ng defense chiefs.
“Our four nations reaffirm the position regarding the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a final and legally binding decision on the parties to the dispute.” RNT/JGC
