The Philippine Air Force (PAF) conducted a bilateral air intercept training with the United States Pacific Air Forces in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) on Tuesday.

In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said both air forces also held a bilateral air patrol and photo exercise, stressing it is a crucial step in enhancing their interoperability as well as improving air domain awareness and agile combat employment.

During the training, PAF utilized three of its FA-50 aircraft while the PACAF deployed two US B-1 aircraft (a heavy bomber) — “flying over the West Philippine Sea which is within the intensive military training area (IMTA) that is often used by the Philippine Air Force and its allies for training.”

Castillo refused to reveal the exact time and location of the event citing security concerns but noted there would be “no bombing exercise.”

“This aircraft will rendezvous off the West Coast of the Philippines and conduct bilateral air patrols, air intercept training, and photo exercises within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” Castillo told reporters.

‘Definitely, expected that there will be challenges.’

She noted such cooperative effort falls under the framework of the Mutual Defense Board Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) activities between the Philippines and the United States, “specifically addressing bilateral air activities and joint air patrols.”

“Bajo de Masinloc will be within the general area because if this is Bajo de Masinloc, they will be flying in the WPS within the IMTA. So from our mainland, they will do a rendezvous because the bomber aircraft won’t be landing here in the Philippines,” she explained.

“They will be coming from a different place and then they’re going to rendezvous, and then they’re going to fly within the IMTA, and within that is Bajo de Masinloc which is part of our territory,” she added.

Scarborough Shoal has been disputed for years.

Although it lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, it has been under China’s control ever since a lengthy standoff happened between the two nations in 2012.

Castillo noted that the air exercise has nothing to do with the increasing tension in the area.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier said it expects interference from the foreign actors.

“Definitely, expected that there will be challenges. There might be foreign aircraft probably intercepting or flying near the flight but they will definitely receive challenges also especially if they’re flying over our territory or near our territory. At the same time, there will be counter challenges as expected but as for us, we are doing this training based on an international rules-based order and based on protocols,” she said.

“So we will just continue on regardless of the action of other foreign actors.”

But, later in the day, Castillo said they had not monitored any disruption from the third parties.

Following the PAF’s announcement of the bilateral training, the Air Force of the PLA Southern Theater Command said it conducted a routine patrol in airspace over Huangyan Dao — the Chinese name of Scarborough Shoal.

Countering the PAF’s declaration that they were not disrupted during the flight exercise, the Air Force of PLA Southern Theater Command spokesperson Senior Colonel Li Jianjian said they maintained a high level of alert, resolutely defending national territorial sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests.

“During this time, the Philippines rallied an external country to organize what they called a ‘joint patrol’ in an attempt to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea region,” Li said.

He added, “any military activities aimed at disrupting the South China Sea are under control.”

However, the Philippines maintained the Chinese aircraft were nowhere near the intensive military training area.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy is set to participate in the 5th Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) that will take place in Bali, Indonesia from 15 to 22 February.

Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said the Philippines will be deploying one of its offshore patrol vessels, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16).

“The Fleet Marine Ready Force is deploying a Naval Task Group with BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) committed to figure in various surface and non-warfare related events and serials,” he told reporters in a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday.

PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos, in a press briefing Tuesday, said the Philippine Marine Ready Force will be sending a naval task group that includes BRP Ramon Alcaraz that is “committed to figure in various surface and non-warfare related events and serials.”

“As a major exercise in the region, MNEK focuses on enhancing relations and cooperation among participating nations in maritime security operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” Alcos pointed out.

Alcos also stressed that the upcoming exercise will allow the Philippine Navy “to deepen ties with regional and global partners, promoting maritime security through combined operations and discussions.”