PH, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, US joint patrol in WPS set

FIEL PHOTO: The Philippine Navy’s BRP Antonio Luna leads three other participating ships during the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, the United States, Australia, and Japan, in the West Philippine Sea. ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The combined armed and defense forces of the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the US will conduct a joint patrol in the West Philippines Sea on September 28.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement that the “naval and air force units of participating nations will operate together enhancing cooperation and interoperability between our armed forces. The activity will be conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States.”

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The Philippine armed forces said the activity will underscore the four countries’ shared commitment to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace.

READ: PH, US, Japan, Australia ‘cooperative activity’ set in WPS on April 7

In a separate statement, the Australian government said that HMAS Sydney and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will operate with partner nations in the West Philippine Sea.

It added that the activity will be conducted with respect to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.