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Security engagements between the treaty allies soared last year
amid growing tensions in the South China Sea, where the
Philippines and China have traded blame over a spate of run-ins.
The Philippines and the U.S. first launched joint patrols in
November, holding military drills for three days in waters near
Taiwan and in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's term for South
China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone.
The Philippine military said their second joint patrol this week
involved four vessels from the Philippine navy and four ships
from the U.S. Indo-Pacific command that include an aircraft
carrier, a cruiser and two destroyers.
Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner said the second such
joint military activity this week marked a "significant leap" in
Manila's alliance with the U.S. and its interoperability with
the American military.
"Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the
world. We are advancing a rules-based international order and a
free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of regional
challenges," Brawner said.
The latest patrols would likely irk China amid rising tensions
in the South China. Last week, Beijing said it would not turn a
blind eye to repeated "provocations and harassment" by the
Philippines.
Chinese state media has also accused Manila of relying on U.S.
support to continually antagonize China.
(Reporting by Mikhail Flores, Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal and
Alex Richardson)
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