Joint patrols in South China Sea to begin 'very soon' - envoy

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<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='This US Navy photo obtained Oct. 7, 2019 shows the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)(L), and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 6) and ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group underway in formation while conducting security and stability operations in the US 7th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 6, 2019 in the South China Sea. US 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and the US Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict. Erwin Jacob V. Miciano, Navy Office of Information via AFP' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/05/08/20191007-uss-ronald-reagan-south-china-sea-afp.jpg' ><figcaption>This US Navy photo obtained Oct. 7, 2019 shows the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)(L), and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 6) and ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group underway in formation while conducting security and stability operations in the US 7th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 6, 2019 in the South China Sea. US 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and the US Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict. Erwin Jacob V. Miciano, Navy Office of Information via AFP</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — Joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea among the Philippines and its allies could begin "very soon," the Philippines' envoy to the United States said Monday."I foresee it to happen very soon," Ambassador Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez told ANC's "Headstart"."This time, we're seriously sitting down and putting down the parameters of where the Philippines and Australia, who is obviously very much interested in joining these joint patrols or joint exercises with the United States, and hopefully, Japan will also look at this opportunity for them to join forces," he added.The move is meant to preserve freedom of navigation in the resource-rich waterway, through which trillions of dollars in trade pass annually, Romualdez said.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/06/23/china-tactics-pushed-ph-to-closer-alliance-with-us'>Emerging security threats, China aggression push PH to revitalize relations with US - analysts</a></li></ul>His statement comes after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr's recent visit to the US amid China's growing aggression in the Asia-Pacific region.Marcos earlier said the joint patrols in the South China Sea could begin this year. The countries included in the joint patrols are the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea.Romualdez stressed members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations wanted peace and stability in the region."For us, for many of us in the ASEAN region, we want peace and stability in our area because we want more economic activity between the US and the ASEAN, and of course, China and the ASEAN," he said.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/23/us-philippines-form-bilateral-defense-guidelines'>PH, US reiterate: attack on respective Coast Guards in S. China Sea to trigger mutual defense treaty</a></li></ul>In the interview, Romualdez disclosed there were no discussions yet on any additional sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement."There was no discussion on additional sites. It was more on what these sites would be used for... A lot of sites have been chosen because of disaster preparedness," he said.The Philippines and US this year raised their EDCA sites to nine, drawing concern from China.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/03/23/philippines-names-4-sites-for-us-military-use'>Philippines names 4 sites for US military use</a></li></ul>China claims most of the strategic waters as part of its territory. The Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia also have overlapping claims.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/23/over-100-chinese-ships-linger-in-julian-felipe-reef-pcg'>Over 100 Chinese militia ships linger in Julian Felipe Reef: coast guard</a></li></ul>The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in July 2016 that China's basis for its claims has no legal backing. Beijing refuses to honor the decision.In April, Washington and Manila agreed to resume joint patrols in the South China Sea, and struck a deal to give US troops access to another four military facilities in the Philippines, on top of five existing EDCA sites.<figure class='op-interactive'><iframe allow='autoplay; fullscreen' frameborder='0' height='100%' id='ivsplayer01' scrolling='no' src='https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&spid=3001339&vid=2607968' width='100%'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div>— With a report from Agence France-Presse

The move is meant to preserve freedom of navigation in the resource-rich waterway, through which trillions of dollars in trade pass annually, Romualdez said.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/06/23/china-tactics-pushed-ph-to-closer-alliance-with-us'>Emerging security threats, China aggression push PH to revitalize relations with US - analysts</a></li></ul>His statement comes after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr's recent visit to the US amid China's growing aggression in the Asia-Pacific region.Marcos earlier said the joint patrols in the South China Sea could begin this year. The countries included in the joint patrols are the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea.Romualdez stressed members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations wanted peace and stability in the region."For us, for many of us in the ASEAN region, we want peace and stability in our area because we want more economic activity between the US and the ASEAN, and of course, China and the ASEAN," he said.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/23/us-philippines-form-bilateral-defense-guidelines'>PH, US reiterate: attack on respective Coast Guards in S. China Sea to trigger mutual defense treaty</a></li></ul>In the interview, Romualdez disclosed there were no discussions yet on any additional sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement."There was no discussion on additional sites. It was more on what these sites would be used for... A lot of sites have been chosen because of disaster preparedness," he said.The Philippines and US this year raised their EDCA sites to nine, drawing concern from China.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/03/23/philippines-names-4-sites-for-us-military-use'>Philippines names 4 sites for US military use</a></li></ul>China claims most of the strategic waters as part of its territory. The Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia also have overlapping claims.<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/23/over-100-chinese-ships-linger-in-julian-felipe-reef-pcg'>Over 100 Chinese militia ships linger in Julian Felipe Reef: coast guard</a></li></ul>The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in July 2016 that China's basis for its claims has no legal backing. Beijing refuses to honor the decision.In April, Washington and Manila agreed to resume joint patrols in the South China Sea, and struck a deal to give US troops access to another four military facilities in the Philippines, on top of five existing EDCA sites.<figure class='op-interactive'><iframe allow='autoplay; fullscreen' frameborder='0' height='100%' id='ivsplayer01' scrolling='no' src='https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&spid=3001339&vid=2607968' width='100%'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div>— With a report from Agence France-Presse

"I foresee it to happen very soon," Ambassador Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez told ANC's "Headstart"."This time, we're seriously sitting down and putting down the parameters of where the Philippines and Australia, who is obviously very much interested in joining these joint patrols or joint exercises with the United States, and hopefully, Japan will also look at this opportunity for them to join forces," he added.

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='This US Navy photo obtained Oct. 7, 2019 shows the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)(L), and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 6) and ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group underway in formation while conducting security and stability operations in the US 7th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 6, 2019 in the South China Sea. US 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and the US Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict. Erwin Jacob V. Miciano, Navy Office of Information via AFP' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/05/08/20191007-uss-ronald-reagan-south-china-sea-afp.jpg' ><figcaption>This US Navy photo obtained Oct. 7, 2019 shows the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)(L), and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 6) and ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group underway in formation while conducting security and stability operations in the US 7th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 6, 2019 in the South China Sea. US 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and the US Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict. Erwin Jacob V. Miciano, Navy Office of Information via AFP</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — Joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea among the Philippines and its allies could begin "very soon," the Philippines' envoy to the United States said Monday.

Joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea could begin 'very soon, the Philippines' envoy to the United States said Monday.

Joint patrols in South China Sea to begin 'very soon' - envoy | ABS-CBN News

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Joint patrols in South China Sea to begin 'very soon' - envoy

Joint patrols in South China Sea to begin 'very soon' - envoy