PH, US conduct joint air patrol
PHILIPPINE and United States assets conducted on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, a combined air patrol over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.
In a statement, the AFP said three Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50s and one B-52H bomber aircraft from the United States Pacific Air Force took part in the activity, which started west of Ilocos Sur and ended over Mindoro Strait.
“Said combined air activity is in line with the recently conducted 3rd iteration of the Maritime Cooperative Activity. It is the air component of the said activity that demonstrates the commitment of both armed forces to enhancing interoperability and advancing regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” it said.
“It also further strengthens the capability of the AFP to perform its mandate and maintain its presence over the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” it added.
In a separate statement, the PAF said the activity underscores its commitment and readiness to support the AFP’s efforts in safeguarding the national territory and sovereign rights, and upholding regional peace and security.
But the Chinese military slammed the conduct of joint air patrolling by the Philippines and US.
China’s Southern Theater Command said the Philippines is stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, noting that it ordered front-line naval and air forces to closely monitor such activity and for troops to “maintain a high degree of vigilance to resolutely defend national sovereignty.”
The Philippines and China both claim sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).