US flexes aircraft carrier, fighter jets in WPS patrol

Several US fighter planes, warships, and an aircraft carrier joined the last day of the joint maritime patrol of the Philippines and the US in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Thursday.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras," air assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were allowed to land on the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

The US Navy's Carrier Strike Group also showed the quick takeoff and landing of 16 aircraft.

For the Philippines, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, and AW109 helicopter completed the second day of the maritime cooperative activity between the two countries.

"The maritime cooperative activity included exercises that allowed for the exchange of best practices. This improved the proficiency of both armed forces in responding to potential threats in the maritime domain," AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

“The maritime cooperative activity reaffirms the strong bond and enduring partnership between the AFP and the [US Indo Pacific Command]," he added. 

"This collaborative effort not only enhances the capabilities of both forces but also contributes to the overall security and stability of the region,” Brawner said.

Two Chinese warships shadowed the second joint maritime patrol on Wednesday.

“We follow a certain policy and guidelines. We call this as the rules of engagement, so this is our bible in ensuring that in the event of disruptive and dangerous maneuvers from any other country, we’ll be obliged to follow this one,” Lieutenant Commander Christopher Calvo, acting commanding officer of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, an Offshore Patrol Vessel said.

The Alcaraz issued radio challenges to the Chinese ships five times but received no response.

The Chinese warships, identified as the guided missile destroyer Hefei and the frigate Huangshan followed the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and her sister ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602), a landing platform dock, as the Filipino ships sailed in formation for the whole day. 

The shadowing vessels, however, did not impede the ships as it rendezvoused with the US 7th Fleet for the joint maritime patrol.

China earlier slammed the US and Philippines drills in the disputed territory as “provocative.”

Warships from China and the US conducted rival exercises in the sea this week amid heightened tensions involving US ally the Philippines. 

Beijing's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command Wednesday said a two-day deployment of its navy and air force, scheduled to end on Thursday, was carrying out "routine patrols" in the sea.

China claims most of the SCS, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines and other countries such as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. 

An international tribunal in 2016 invalidated China's claim in a ruling on a case brought by the Philippines. Beijing has refused to acknowledge the decision. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News