The Philippines continues to strengthen security cooperation with other countries, including Australia, with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles visiting the Philippines.
In a meeting between Marles and Department of National Defense Chief Carlito Galvez Jr., the possibility of joint maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea was discussed.
Also discussed were deepening defense cooperation, counterterrorism, and maritime issues.
There are no details on the joint patrol yet, but Australia is hoping for it to push through.
“Indo-Pacific endeavor is another exercise that Australia pursues. It has a very heavy naval component to it. The Philippines will be very central to the Indo-Pacific endeavor this year,” Marles said.
Both countries mentioned the compliance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the contested territories in the West Philippine Sea.
“We reaffirm the need to continue working together towards a common goal of maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region,” Galvez said.
The Philippines and Australia are set to sign a strategic partnership this year.
Marles also met with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a courtesy call on Wednesday, Feb. 22, a visit that Marcos viewed “will be an important part of the response” to the Chinese Coast Guard’s (CCG) activities in the West Philippine Sea.
Recently, the CCG used a military-grade laser on a Philippine vessel patrolling the Ayungin Shoal. This was denied by China, but the Philippine foreign affairs departments stood by the Philippine Coast Guard’s accounts.
The incident has been discussed by Galves and US defense chief Lloyd Austin.
“He reiterated that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, aircraft, and public vessels, including those of its Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea, would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” the US defense department said.
“The two leaders discussed proposals to deepen operational cooperation and enhance the United States and the Philippines’ shared security, including the recent decision to resume combined maritime activities in the South China Sea,” it added. – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG – gb
