Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines and Japan held their first bilateral maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, August 2.
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the activities were communications exercise, tactical maneuvers, and photographic exercise.
The Philippine Navy deployed the BRP Jose Rizal, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) sent the JS Sazanami.
“This activity was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the AFP said in a statement.
“This collaborative exercise enhanced the tactical capabilities of the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF and reinforced the strong ties and mutual commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” it added.
Both sides expressed their commitment to recognizing a rules-based international order.
“JS SAZANAMI’s participation attests to Japan’s commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation to realize a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’” said Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya on X.
On July 31, the Philippines also held a maritime exercise with the United States in waters off Palawan.
The West Philippine Sea, so named as it is within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, is an area contested with Beijing.
A 2016 arbitral ruling, however, invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claim over South China Sea and decided that Manila has sovereign rights on the West Philippine Sea.
NewsWatch Plus Correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.
