MANILA, Philippines, February 15 ------ With the Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio frigate sailing side by side with Canada’s HMCS Ottawa warship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared 7th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) a success.
The monitored presence of Chinese warships from a distance did not dampen the latest combined exercises held within the operational jurisdiction of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) inside the country’s exclusive economic zone. AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the 7th MMCA participated by Philippine and Canadian navy vessels started at around 9:23 a.m. and ended at about 4:30 p.m. “There were three PLA-Navy (People’s Liberation Army) ships, one oceanographic surveillance ship, and one helicopter monitored from a distance during the activity,” he told reporters yesterday.
Trinidad said the safety of participating countries during the conduct of the exercise was important, such that established and agreed upon protocols were observed. He noted that all participants had their respective rules of engagement to follow in case of any adverse situation though the monitored PLAN and other assets did not interfere during the 7th MMCA. The AFP said it deployed the BRP Andres Bonifacio, Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft, and Philippine Air Force search and rescue assets.
Partner nations also contributed, with Canada deploying the HMCS Ottawa while the United States was involved in the planning and pre-sail conference, as well as monitoring the activity. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized the significance of the multilateral initiative as it “underscores the AFP’s commitment to enhancing regional stability and maritime security. These strategic partnerships strengthen our interoperability and foster a collective security in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Brawner said it also reinforces the bonds between partner nations dedicated to mutual prosperity and the maintenance of a rules-based international order, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. NOLCOM chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca said “NOLCOM’s participation in the 7th MMCA reinforces our commitment to protecting our maritime territory, securing our sovereign rights, and working with our allies to promote regional stability.”
Source: philstar.com
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