The Philippines has asked the US to hold joint naval patrols, a Philippine Department of National Defense spokesman said on Thursday, amid a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.
Foreign and defense ministers from the US and the Philippines met in Washington this week for the second time in more than three years to discuss trade and security, focusing on the South China Sea.
“We are suggesting that we also patrol the area together,” Peter Paul Galvez told reporters in Manila. “There is a need for a more collaborative presence in the South China Sea.”
US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus underscored the importance of the US-Philippine relationship, but declined to comment on the Philippine request for joint patrols.
A Pentagon spokesman, Commander Bill Urban, said the US engaged “in numerous joint defense activities” year round with its ally, including exercises, capacity building, training and intelligence sharing.
“While we do not comment on our joint planning discussions, we routinely evaluate ways to strengthen and enhance our military cooperation to better meet regional security challenges,” he said.
China claims almost all the disputed South China Sea, where it has built artificial islands that extend its reach. Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines have competing claims in the sea, through which US$5 trillion of trade passes annually.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Surface Navy Association near Washington, Mabus said the US Navy was working closely with the Philippines through joint exercises, prepositioning of supplies and other steps.
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