Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 24) – The Philippine Coast Guard and the French Navy conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) earlier this week.

“These joint maneuvers are an excellent way to develop inter-allied interoperability as part of France’s multilateral approach in this region,” the French embassy said Friday.

The PASSEX is a bilateral activity that includes personnel exchanges, cross-deck flight operations, communications exercises, division tactics, a tracking exercise and photo exercise.

The embassy said French Navy frigate FS Prairial (F731) and Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Capones (MRRV-4404) participated in the exercise “in the South China Sea on March 20.”

“France illustrates on this occasion its status as a coastal and sovereign nation of the Pacific, concerned with the security issues of the region,” it added.

The Prairial is a 94-meter-long warship that carries about 100 crew and a Dauphin helicopter.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the exercise was held in the vicinity waters off Agno, Pangasinan. Agno faces the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“They performed flashing light drills, semaphore drills, and flag hoist drills to ensure both parties can efficiently communicate and cooperate in times of war and humanitarian relief operations,” it added.

In November 2022, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said the Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement with France to strengthen the shipbuilding and repair industry to ensure maritime safety and security.

Under the agreement, France will provide technical assistance, training, and consultancy service to Marina.

France also said its personnel held command or joint patrols with Philippine counterparts to further secure freedom of navigation in the WPS in March 2022.

READ: PH, France sign agreement to strengthen shipping industry

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/11/13/PH–France-agreement-shipping-industry-.html

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