PH, France hold joint maritime drills in West PH Sea

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines and France held a maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday in a bid to strengthen their bilateral defense ties, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

The AFP said this marked the third consecutive week of joint maritime activities in the WPS, within the joint operational area of Northern Luzon Command.

According to the armed forces, the activities were designed to enhance interoperability, communication, and defense capabilities.

Drills included communications check exercise, anti-submarine warfare drills, and dissimilar aircraft combat training, among others.

Among the Philippine assets engaged in the activities were the Philippine Navy's guided missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal and the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gregorio del Pilar. The French Navy's aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) and four other vessels joined the drills.

“Through joint maritime cooperative activities and collaborative efforts, the AFP seeks to build a stronger, more resilient defense system that is prepared to address the challenges of the modern security landscape,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said.

Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard reported 'hazardous actions' by a Chinese military aircraft against a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft, calling it the most dangerous act yet by Beijing in the WPS.