Joint patrol in West PH Sea not an insult to China – Honasan

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 recently concluded joint patrol of the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) was not a move that intended to insult China,  former Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan said on Monday.

“China has been affronting us for a long time already, so how can they view this as an affront to China? This is reciprocal. That’s part of the course. Deterrent effect. Equilibrium. That translates into order. Balance of power,” he told reporters in a chance interview.

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

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier bared that the combined defense forces of the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the US conducted a joint patrol in the WPS on September 28.

The activity showcased the nations’ shared commitment to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, according to the AFP.

While Honasan views the joint patrol as part of an act that “translates into peace and order,” he still noted the need to peacefully resolve disputes in the WPS.

“[B]eyond that they should have a plan [on] how to resolve this peacefully, either through the international bodies or in the absence of that, then [bolster our] mobilization plans to prepare for any eventuality,” he said.