Philippines Launches Sea And Air Patrol With US, President Marcos Jr: The Environment Is Safer And Stable

Philippine President Marcos Jr. (Twitter/@bongbongmarcos)

JAKARTA - The Philippine and US militaries launched joint sea and air patrols on Tuesday in waters near Taiwan, officials said, as part of a joint exercise between the two countries, but also have the potential to increase tensions with China.

In his post on social media X, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the exercise, which will last for three days until November 23, is a collaborative effort between the Philippine Armed Forces and the United States Indo-Pacific Command in the Sea of the West Philippines.

"This important initiative is a testament to our commitment to increasing interoperability of our military force in conducting maritime and air patrols," he wrote on Twitter, as quoted November 21.

"Through collaborative efforts, we aim to improve regional security and foster close partnerships with the United States in safeguarding common interests," he continued.

He further said that this joint patrol was part of a series of events agreed by the Mutual Defense Board - Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) of the two countries.

"I believe that this collaboration will contribute to a safer and more stable environment for our society," said President Marcos Jr.

Today marks the beginning of joint maritime and air patrols— a collaborative effort between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command in the West Philippine Sea.This significant initiative is a testament to our commitment to bolster the…

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) November 21, 2023

Today marks the beginning of joint maritime and air patrols a collaborative effort between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command in the West Philippine Sea. This significant initiative is a trial to our commitment to bolster the...

The drills will begin on Mavulis Island, the northernmost point of the Philippines, located about 100 km (62 miles) from Taiwan, said Eugene Cabusao, a spokesman for North Luzon Command.

This patrol will later end in the West Philippine Sea, the name Manila uses for waters in the South China Sea which is included in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Philippine military said three naval vessels, two FA-50 light fighter aircraft and a Super Tucano A-29B light attack aircraft would participate. Meanwhile, the United States will send a litral combat boat and a P8-A patrol and maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

It is known, this news came a day after President Marcos Jr. said at a forum in Hawaii, the situation in the South China Sea became more "terrible", with the Chinese military getting closer to the Philippine coastline.

Manila's relations with Washington DC increased this year, where they agreed to increase the number of Philippine bases accessible to the United States military, to the biggest joint military exercises they had ever conducted last April.

In contrast to the relationship with Washington DC, Manila's relationship with Beijing strained under President Marcos Jr.'s leadership, with repeated disputes between Chinese ships and the Philippines in waters claimed by the two countries, sparking heated rhetoric exchanges and concerns over the escalation of the conflict.