Philippines, India hold 1* joint naval drills in contested South China Sea

THE PHILIPPINES and India held their first joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, Philippine military officials said on Monday, just as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. left for a state visit to New Delhi.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

The two-day sea drills began on Sunday and have been "productive so far," according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff General Romeo S. Brawner, Jr.

Philippine and Indian forces have met their "objectives for the exercise," he said in mixed English and Filipino, based on a video shared with reporters.

"We are hoping that these would continue because we still have many exercises and activities with the Indian Armed Forces," he added.

The naval exercise proceeded without incident, despite the presence of two Chinese warships in the area. "We didn't experience anything untoward," Mr. Brawner said. "There was shadowing, but we expected that already."

Philippine Lieutenant Colonel John Paul C. Salgado said two vessels from the People’s Liberation Army-Navy were monitored near the area but did not interfere.

"The activity proceeded without interference... However, they were continuously monitored and tracked," he said via Viber message.