Phl Plans More Joint Naval Patrols With Other Countries

More – and bigger – joint naval patrols with allied nations are being readied for this year, the Philippine Navy announced yesterday.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy's spokesman for West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, said holding Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activities (MMCAs) with partner nations would improve the country's capabilities in securing and protecting its territory and maritime domain.

“The approach of the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces when it comes to our treaty allies and other partner nations is to have more activities in our maritime domain covering not only Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) but also the Northern Islands, the Eastern seaboard and the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said.

Last year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) held several MMCAs with the United States, Japan, Australia and other countries.