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Ph crafts guidelines for jt patrols in WPS
By Nidz Godino
"Government of the Philippines is in process of crafting guidelines for conduct of combined maritime activities in WPS, including joint patrols," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in statement Philippines is in process of "crafting guidelines" on maritime activities, including joint patrols with allies, in West Philippine Sea amid China's increasingly aggressive actions in the region.
Philippine defense officials earlier are in talks with United States and Australia about future joint patrols in South China Sea, where China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims.
Philippines has renamed parts of South China Sea that are within its territory and exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea or WPS to stress its claim.
"Operational details, including possibility of engaging other regional partners, will be part of PH-US discussions within framework of MDB-SEB," it stressed, referring to annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board with US.
No further details were provided by DFA, such as countries involved and location of patrols.
MDB-SEB mechanism discusses and draws up activities that will be undertaken by two allies.
In shift of policy likely to anger China, Philippines' participation in joint patrols in South China Sea was opposed by former President Rodrigo Duterte, who cultivated close ties with Beijing in exchange for aid and investments.
In recent visit to Philippines, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III reiterated Washington's commitment to help defend Philippines, long-time treaty ally, against aggression after Chinese coast guard vessel pointed military-grade laser at passing Philippine supply vessel near Ayungin Shoal on February 6.
Incident off Ayungin also known by its international name Second Thomas Shoal caused temporary blindness to some of Filipino crew and prompted Manila to file strongly worded diplomatic protest.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. also summoned China's ambassador to personally convey his concern.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, who also visited Manila last month, announced at press conference eyeing joint patrols with Philippines in disputed waters.
"We did talk today about possibility of exploring joint patrols," Marles had said.
Apart from US, only Australia has an existing defense pact with Philippines that allows joint military exercises in the country.
Philippine Constitution bans foreign bases, permanent presence of foreign troops, and their engagement in local combat.
China, which considers sea disputes purely Asian issue, opposed any foreign intervention, particularly from US. It also denied pointing military-grade laser at Philippine Coast Guard ship, although it accused vessel of intrusion.
Both US and China are at odds over long-seething territorial row in strategic waters, where Beijing has turned several former reefs into artificial islands with military facilities, runways, and surface-to-air missiles.
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