This week, the coast guards of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States will engage in a trilateral maritime exercise scheduled to take place in the South China Sea. The exercise will be the first of its kind at a time when China’s overreaching activities in the region are becoming worrisome.
According to a statement by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo on Monday, the drill scheduled for June 1–7 off the coast of Bataan province is being organised by the US and Japan, with Australia participating as an observer.
Balilo stated that the exercise aims to enhance law enforcement, cooperation, counter-piracy simulations, and search and rescue operations. and perhaps a drill involving the intercept of a ship carrying weapons of mass destruction.
Balilo confirmed that four Philippine vessels and one each from the United States and Japan are expected to be used for the drill.
In response to China’s objections to the planned drill as well as assertions that it controls the South China Sea, Balilo stated, “This is a usual routine activity among coast guard agencies. There is nothing wrong with holding exercises with your counterparts.”
Since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office as president last year, replacing his pro-China predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, Japan, Australia, and the United States have regularly denounced China’s militarization of the South China Sea and sought to forge deeper ties with U.S. ally the Philippines.
In February, the Philippines warned China of hostile actions in the South China Sea. This action was followed by a US and Japanese request for combined military maritime drills.
In recent times, the US-Philippine relations have been continuously improving. And within these years, Manila has developed stronger opinions on international issues, particularly in regards to China’s activities in the South China Sea, specifically the adoption and use of a military laser on a navy ship whose duty was to provide food and other necessities.
