China ships, chopper spotted during PH-US-Canada WPS joint drills — AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said Chinese presence was monitored during the conduct of its joint drills with the United States and Canada in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“There were three [People's Liberation Army Navy] ships, one oceanographic surveillance ship, and one helicopter monitored from a distance during the activity,” AFP public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.

Trinidad noted the importance of the safety of participating countries during the conduct of the exercise.

“Established and agreed upon protocols were observed and all have their respective [Rules of Engagements] for any adverse situation, " he said.

The Chinese ships and chopper did not interfere so the exercise continued as planned, according to Trinidad.

“The monitored PLAN and other assets did not interfere during the 7th MMCA. The exercise proceeded as planned,” he said, referring to the 7th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) on Wednesday by the Philippines, United States, and Canada in the WPS.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said this was to show "collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Sought for comment about the Trinidad's statements, the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Thursday referred GMA News Online to the recent pronouncements of Tian Junli, spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command.

Tian cited China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests over the area, adding that the Philippines has invited countries outside the region to organize "joint patrols."

He said the Philippines tried to cover up its alleged illegal infringement on China's maritime rights and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea through military provocations and media hype.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun earlier defended the presence of their vessels in the Philippines’ EEZ.

Guo maintained the CCG "conducts patrols and law enforcement activities in relevant waters in accordance with the law, which is fully justified."

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News