AFP carefully studying joint patrols with other countries

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is "carefully" studying offers from other countries to conduct joint maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

In a news forum on Saturday, Western Command chief Vice Admiral Albert Carlos said the military is currently carrying out unilateral maritime patrols in the WPS.

He said maritime patrols are being jointly conducted by AFP's Philippine Navy with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, "not with any foreign country."

"We are in engagement with whoever offers to help us, whoever shares our desire, our objective to establish a rules-based international order. We are studying carefully. All the offers are on the table," Carlos said.

Carlos said the Philippines is "very happy" with other nations' willingness to help the country.

However, the military has not received any directive to do joint patrols with other nations.