All systems go for 4-nation naval drills in WPS

The Philippines and treaty allies the US, Australia and Japan are embarking on joint naval exercises today - including anti-submarine warfare-in a show of force in the face of China's growing aggressiveness in pushing its claims in the South China Sea.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

In a joint statement, the four treaty allies said through their defense chiefs that their first ever multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone is aimed at safeguarding "the rule of law that is the foundation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region" and upholding freedom of navigation and grounds, was final and legally overflight.

China was not mentioned by name in the statement, but the four countries reaffirmed their stance that a 2016 international arbitration ruling, which invalidated China's expansive claims on historical binding.

Beijing has refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected the ruling and continues to defy it. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At least five warships involved in the exercises will sail from the operational area of the Western Command (WESCOM) in Palawan toward Northern Luzon waters.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the US is sending the USS Mobile, a littoral combat ship, to sail alongside the Philippine Navy's BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

Australia is deploying its HMAS Warramunga, a warship capable of air defense, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction, while the Japan Maritime Defense Force is sending destroyer JS Akebono.

"The Maritime Cooperative Activity will be conducted by naval/maritime and air force units in a manner that is consistent with international law as well as domestic laws and rules of respective nations, and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states," the joint statement read.