MANILA, Philippines- Matagumpay na natapos ang Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity sa pagitan ng mga militar ng Pilipinas, United States, Australia, at Canada, base sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nitong Biyernes.
“The seamless coordination and execution of the planned activities highlight the strong defense relationships we share and our collective commitment to ensuring a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region,” pahayag ni AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.
Batay sa AFP, opisyal na natapos ang joint activity sa pagitan ng apat na bansa ng alas-6 ng hapon nitong Huwebes.
Kabilang sa dalawang araw na pagsasanay ang communication exercises (COMMEX), division tactics/officer of the watch (Divtacs/OOW) maneuvers, photographic exercise (PHOTOEX), cross-deck landing operations, anti-submarine warfare exercises (ASW Ex), at contact reporting/maritime domain awareness (MDA).
Wala namang naiulat na insidente, at naabot ang mga layunin sa kabila ng presensya ng Chinese warships sa nasabing drill, ayon sa AFP.
Sa unang araw ng aktibidad noong Miyerkules, sinabi ng AFP na na-monitor nila ang tatlong Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels: ang PLA-Navy Wuzhou (FSG 626) Jiangdao II Class Corvette, PLA-Navy Huangshan (FFG 570) Jiankai II Class Corvette, at PLA-Navy Qujing (FSG 668) Jiangdao II Class Corvette.
Nanindigan ang apat na bansa sa pagpapahusay ng regional at international cooperation para sa malaya at bukas na Indo-Pacific.
Sa gitna ng tensyon sa WPS, pinagtibay ng US, Australia, Canada, at ng Pilipinas ang 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award na pinal at legally binding.
“We stand together to address common maritime challenges and underscore our shared dedication to upholding international law and the rules-based order,” anang mga ito.
“Our four nations reaffirm the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a final and legally binding decision on the parties to the dispute,” dagdag pa. RNT/SA
