In what appeared to be a reference to the joint drills by the US and the three other countries, the command said that military activities “intended to sabotage the situation” and create “hotspots” in the waters were “well under control”.
Chinese navy drills a ‘timely and forceful response’ to Philippines’ tilt to US
Chinese navy drills a ‘timely and forceful response’ to Philippines’ tilt to US
The United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines on Saturday announced they would stage a “maritime cooperative activity” on Sunday within what they called the “Philippine exclusive economic zone”.
According to the Philippine defence department, five warships will take part in the drills.
Two Philippine warships, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, will join the drills alongside the American USS Mobile, Japan’s JS Akebono, and Australia’s HMAS Warramunga, according to the Japanese embassy in Manila.
The Philippines has accused China of repeatedly obstructing resupply missions for the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy transport ship that was intentionally grounded off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, known as Renai Jiao in China. Beijing says the Philippine vessels entered its territory illegally.
On March 23, three Philippine navy sailors were injured when Chinese coastguard personnel fired water cannons at their vessels. Manila also accused Chinese ships of conducting “dangerous” manoeuvres and blocking a civilian chartered resupply ship.
The Philippines and China traded accusations over an encounter off the Iroquois reef in the South China Sea on Saturday, when Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said China threatened fishermen with water cannons. Chinese coastguard spokesman Gan Yu maintained that Beijing’s handling of the incident was professional and said the Filipinos were conducting illegal activities.
In February, Beijing accused Manila of “roping in non-regional countries” – a veiled reference to the US – to stir up trouble in the region as the two allies held a drill.
Biden and Kishida to announce ‘historic’ US-Japan agreement: envoy
Biden and Kishida to announce ‘historic’ US-Japan agreement: envoy
The Philippines has also held separate “maritime cooperative activities” with the US and Australia several times since last year.
In the Saturday statement, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said, “this first in a series of activities shows the enduring friendship and partnership” among the four countries.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said, the activities underscored the four countries’ “shared commitment to ensuring that all countries are free to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is set to meet US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington on April 11. The agenda for that meeting will include planning for an agreement to improve trilateral interoperability and naval cooperation, Marcos said.