PH-Australia joint patrol in WPS successful despite China's shadowing activities — Brawner

Despite China's shadowing activities, the joint patrol of Philippine and Australian militaries in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have been successful, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said Monday.

“It was very successful. Successful because there were no untoward incidents, wala namang nangyaring masama, walang nasugatan (no one was hurt),” Brawner told reporters.

“But more importantly, we were able to achieve the objectives that we set out to achieve through this joint activity,” he added.

Shadowing incidents

However, Brawner said two shadowing incidents allegedly by China were reported during the Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) between the AFP and the Australian Defense Force.

On Saturday, Brawner said a Chinese vessel was seen shadowing Philippine and Australian vessels. On Sunday, two Chinese fighter jets were spotted circling around the flight route of the activity for 15 minutes.

???????????????????????? 2 Chinese fighter jets orbiting above the flight route during the Philippines-Australia joint patrol in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, the Philippine military says. The Philippine aircraft accomplished its task with no untoward incident. ????: AFP PAO @gmanews pic.twitter.com/VPmpYoBQ9F

— Joviland Rita (@jovilandxrita) November 27, 2023

Brawner said these incidents were not unusual because China has been doing these to the vessels and aircraft of other countries such as the United States and Japan.

“Mukhang ito na yung nagiging taktika ng Tsina over the South China Sea (These appear to be the tactics of China over the South China Sea),” he said.

The Philippines-Australia joint patrol in the WPS was set from November 25 to 27.

Multilateral patrols

Meanwhile, Brawner said that multilateral joint patrols with other countries in the WPS may be conducted early next year.

“Right now there is no specific plan yet for that but we are continuously talking with our allies and partners so this is a possibility probably by next year,” he said.

“Wala pang definite na countries kasi hindi pa, wala pa talagang (There are no definite countries determined yet because there is still no) definite plan but hopefully, we will have these kinds of activities by early next year,” he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News