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US, PH ships train together off Palawan: AFP

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Filipino soldiers jump from a US Marine Corps UH-1Y helicopter during a helocast and maritime patrol exercise as part of the semi-annual Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) in Ternate, Cavite on July 14, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/09/04/20230713-ph-usa-masa-cavite-mt-12.jpg"/><figcaption>Filipino soldiers jump from a US Marine Corps UH-1Y helicopter during a helocast and maritime patrol exercise as part of the semi-annual Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) in Ternate, Cavite on July 14, 2023. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The United States and the Philippines are sailing together off the coast of Palawan to strengthen their maritime cooperation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday.</p><p>The activity follows Beijing&#x27;s release of a map featuring China&#x27;s extended territorial claims. </p><p>The new map, which Manila has rejected and has filed a diplomatic protest over, includes parts of the West Philippine Sea.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/01/23/ph-map-on-disputed-waters-to-be-given-more-credence-expert">Philippine map on disputed waters to be given more credence: maritime expert</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/01/23/marcos-says-ph-will-respond-on-chinas-10-dash-line">China&#x27;s 10-dash line? Marcos Jr says Philippines will &#x27;respond&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>The AFP said in a release that the ongoing activity is conducted under the Mutual Defense Board - Security Engagement Board framework, which &quot;aims to develop operational interoperability&quot; between the two countries&#x27; navies.</p><p>The Philippine Navy&#x27;s guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) will carry out a &quot;division tactics&quot; rehearsal, the AFP said.</p><p>A division is the smallest naval formation, usually of from two to four ships.</p><p>&quot;[T]his event aims to provide an opportunity for the Philippine Navy and the US Indo-Pacific Navy to test and refine existing maritime doctrine and demonstrate their defense capabilities in line with the shared commitment of upholding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region,&quot; the AFP said.</p><p>The Philippines has ramped up engagements with foreign militaries this year.</p><p>The Philippine Navy held maritime drills with the US, Australia and Japan in August. Philippine troops also trained with the Australian military in an amphibious exercise in Zambales that month.</p><p>The annual Balikatan exercise with the US in April was billed as the largest yet, with 12,000 American troops participating.</p><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&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2720483" 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><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&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2773159" 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>

The AFP said in a release that the ongoing activity 'aims to develop operational interoperability' between the two countries' navies.