Canadian, Phl navies sail WPS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday announced that the Philippine Navy had successfully sailed the West Philippine Sea with its Canadian counterpart to promote the rules-based international order in the waters as well as a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The Filipino sailors aboard guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna sailed with the Canadian Halifax-class HMCS Ottawa from 7:23 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, 21 September.

AFP spokesperson, Lt. Col. Enrico Ileto, said the two ships met and established radio communications near the Malampaya natural gas platform and performed  "Officers of the Watch" maneuvers.

"The joint sail was part of the Philippine Navy's regular engagements with its partners in the Philippines' maritime zones. Bravo Zulu to all the personnel of both ships and those who planned this activity," Ileto added.

The Philippine Navy's FF150-BRP Jose Rizal previously joined the United States Navy's USS Ralph Johnson on a division tactics mission on 4 September in the WPS.

Ileto underscored these series of joint sailing signifies the shared commitment of the Philippines, United States, and Canada in promoting a rules-based international order in the WPS and a free and open Indo-Pacific region.