Reduced Chinese presence in WPS after PH drills with allies – PH Navy

The French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle (PHOTO FROM THE AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy has noted a decrease in illegal and coercive actions by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) every time the Philippines holds military exercises with other nations.

“Actions of the government to bring in other nations to observe and protect the rules-based international order are very much welcome, and we have noted a marked decrease in the illegal and coercive actions of the PLA Navy each time there is a multilateral or bilateral maritime cooperative activity,” said Philippine Navy Spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad

“And expect that there will be more of these activities to come in the future,” he added. 

During the Philippines and France’s maritime cooperation activity in the WPS on February 21, Trinidad said no  PLA Navy, China Coast Guard, or maritime militia vessels were spotted. “within proximity.”

The French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, Fregate Europeenne Multi-Mission Destroyer Provence, Force Supply Vessel Jacques Chevallier, Air Defense Destroyer Forbin, and Aquitaine-class frigate Alsace participated in the recent drills with Philippine counterparts.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed the BRP Jose Rizal, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, C90 aircraft, and its two FA50s to the drill.

Since January this year, the Philippine Coast Guard has also been monitoring the movements of Chinese Coast Guard vessels unlawfully operating within the country’s exclusive economic zone and near Zambales.

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila. (With reports from Keith Irish Margareth Clores, INQUIRER.net trainee)