Manila, September 14(HS):
The Philippines, Japan, and the United States have carried out coordinated naval and aerial exercises in the strategically sensitive South China Sea on Saturday, reinforcing their shared commitment to maritime security, regional stability, and the promotion of a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.
Philippine military spokesman Xerxes Trinidad emphasized that these continuous trilateral engagements highlight the sustained collaboration among the three countries to enhance maritime cooperation and crisis response capabilities. The multi-domain exercises saw the deployment of vessels and aircraft conducting coordinated maneuvers aimed at improving interoperability and operational readiness.
The drills occur against the backdrop of China’s recent announcement to establish a national marine nature reserve around Scarborough Shoal, a contested maritime feature claimed by both China and the Philippines. This announcement has escalated tensions in the region, prompting vocal opposition from both the Philippines and the US.
China’s military spokesperson Tian Junli issued a stern warning urging the Philippines to halt activities it perceives as provocations and to avoid escalating tensions. The Chinese military maintains a high state of alert, prepared to defend its territorial claims in the region.
The trilateral exercises symbolize a strategic balancing act designed to assert freedom of navigation and regional security in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness. The Philippines, Japan, and the US have been increasingly intensifying their defense and security collaborations—underscored by ongoing joint exercises—to support peace and stability.
While cooperative in nature, the drills send a clear message of solidarity and preparedness in safeguarding shared maritime interests, underscoring the importance of collective security frameworks in the Indo-Pacific.
As the region faces complex geopolitical challenges, these joint exercises also serve to enhance disaster response and humanitarian assistance capabilities among the allied nations, reflecting a multifaceted approach to regional security.
The Philippines, Japan, and the US reaffirm their commitment to uphold international law and ensure that the South China Sea remains open and free for lawful maritime activity.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
