MANILA: The Philippines and the United States began a two-day joint patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday (Jan 3), the Philippine military said in a statement, a move that would likely irk China.
Security engagements between the treaty allies soared last year amid growing tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and China have traded blame over a spate of run-ins.
The Philippines and the US first launched joint patrols in November, holding military drills for three days in waters near Taiwan and in the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s term for South China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone.
The Philippine military said their second joint patrol this week involved four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships from the US Indo-Pacific command that include an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and two destroyers.
Source: CNA
