They said the first joint patrol in the Philippines exclusive economic zone involves the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba,an Australian Air Force P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft,two Philippine Navy vessels and five Philippine Air Force surveillance planes. The patrols are taking place from Saturday until Monday.
“Australia and the Philippines are firmly committed to a peaceful,secure and prosperous region,where sovereignty and agreed rules and norms are respected,” Marles said.
“The first joint patrol between the Australian Defence Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines demonstrates this important commitment.”
The HMAS Toowoombatransited through the sensitive Taiwan Strait this week,less than a fortnight after an incident in whichAustralian divers suffered minor ear damage from a Chinese destroyer’s sonar pulses.
Also this week,the United States and the Philippines resumed joint patrols in the South China Sea and in the waters around the South-East Asian archipelago’s northernmost islands near Taiwan.
That development drew a stern response from Beijing,which claimed that,by mustering foreign forces,the Philippines had “stirred up trouble and engaged in hype,undermining regional peace and stability”.