Aboard BRP Gregorio del Pilar, WEST PHILIPPINE SEA—The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command on Thursday wrapped up their bilateral maritime cooperative activity. 

Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, AFP Western Command chief, said the Philippines' two-day maritime patrol and cross-deck flight operation exercises with the US were "successful" amid the presence of at least two Chinese vessels being operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy in the waters off Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. 

"It's a successful live sailing because we both showed up. We both did our serials and the ships showed up in the designated training areas with some tactical maneuvers," he said. 

Following the conduct of air operations, high-ranking military officials from the AFP's Western Command and Northern Command met with the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group 1 on board the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

"Our air operations with the US Carrier Strike Group 1 were also very successful when doing that together," he said. 

During the exercises, Carlos noted the Chinese navy ships kept their distance from the Philippine vessels, describing it as "much better behavior" than what they showed during the country's rotational and resupply missions in the Ayungin Shoal. 

"So far, from what I have seen in the last two days, I could be classified as shadowing compared to their actions when we do the RoRe, mas maraming (there's more) dangerous maneuvers and blocking in there," he said. 

"Here in MCA, it's only a shadowing. They kept their distance 3-4 nautical miles from our formation. On our activities, hindi naman (it was not) disrupted, we were able to conduct our flight operations without disruption but the Chinese are present in the area," he added.

More joint patrols

Meanwhile, Carlos said they have not yet discussed a repeat of the MCA with their US counterparts. 

"But from the pronouncement of our national leadership, the joint patrols will continue not only with the Americans but with all our partners and those who support the establishment of the rules-based international order in the South China Sea," he said. 

Carlos said the MCA is focusing on the country's "partnership and alliance" with the US as well as the "desire and resolve" to promote rules-based international orders in the SCS.  

"This will continue. We expect more in the WESCOM, our ships, and the NOLCOM are ready to undertake MCAs in the future," he added. "The South China Sea involves the WESCOM and the NOLCOM."

China's presence in Phl EEZ

Asked if China insists on its "jurisdiction" over the WPS, Carlos said the Philippines agreed to remain professional and will avoid any provocation when doing operations in the country's exclusive economic zone.

"Walang panalo kung magkaroon ng gulo dito sa South China Sea. Everybody wants the international trade and economic activities to continue in the SCS," he said. 

Carlos noted that keeping the peace and order in the SCS "would be really beneficial for all."

He then acknowledged China's freedom of navigation in the international waters.