West PH Sea: Navy conducts 10 multilateral maritime activities this year
MANILA, Philippines — In its efforts to reinforce security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a Navy official revealed that 10 multilateral maritime activities have been conducted this year.
Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said this figure is higher than the three multilateral maritime activities they conducted in 2023.
“For last year, we only had three multilateral maritime activities. For this year, we have had already 10 multilateral maritime activities. This includes ships from different countries, Australia, New Zealand, European powers, Japan, the US, and others,” Trinidad said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
READ: West PH Sea: China fishing vessels, boats from other countries monitored
He explained that these multilateral maritime activities “serve as a very good focal point for international engagements.”
Article continues after this advertisementTrinidad also said that “the presence of international partners would cause a temporary change in the behavior of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Chinese Coast Guard, and Chinese Maritime Militia,” reiterating previous statements.
Article continues after this advertisementEarlier, the Navy official disclosed the “dramatic increase” in the activities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the WPS.
For October alone, he said the AFP had conducted 64 successful patrol missions within the region.
Last October 15, the AFP reported that 34 Chinese vessels were logged in three locations within the WPS from October 7 to 13.
READ: Task force steps up WPS watch amid reclamation by the Chinese
During the last week of September, the Navy monitored 178 Chinese vessels in various locations within the WPS.
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