29-8-2023 (MANILA) President Marcos of the Philippines, in collaboration with the Australian government, has given the green light to plans for conducting joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. The move aims to safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing adherence to a rules-based international order.
In a radio interview with dzRH yesterday, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), confirmed the approval of the joint patrol. He stated, “We are still planning the details, but in essence, (the joint patrol) has been approved by the President and the Australian leadership.”
The recently concluded Exercise Alon 2023, the first-ever bilateral amphibious exercise between the Philippines and Australia, supported by the US Marine Corps, further solidified the cooperative efforts between the two nations. This exercise served as a stepping stone towards enhancing regional security and promoting mutual cooperation.
Australia has previously reiterated its firm support for The Hague’s 2016 ruling, which declared China’s nine-dash line, a claim encompassing the entire South China Sea, as invalid. In a joint statement, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro expressed their commitment to the possibility of conducting joint bilateral patrols with the Philippines.
This development signifies Australia’s active involvement alongside the United States and Japan in collaborating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to facilitate combined maritime activities. The joint statement by Marles and Teodoro emphasized the significance of all states operating safely and professionally, while upholding international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also reaffirmed their unwavering support for the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award.
