Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

​AFP, US Navy conduct 2-day maritime cooperative activity

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737247128795Screenshot 2025-01-19 at 8.38.38 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The AFP and the US Navy conduct maritime cooperative activity on Jan, 17-18, 2025. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Jordan"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">The AFP and the US Navy conduct maritime cooperative activity on Jan, 17-18, 2025. <em>US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Jordan</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED)</strong> — The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Navy conducted a bilateral maritime cooperative activity in the South China Sea on January 17 to 18 to stress their militaries&#x27; longstanding partnership in the maritime domain.</p><p>Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, called the exercise a &quot;crucial element&quot; in the country&#x27;s efforts for defense cooperation with the US/</p><p>&quot;With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead. This is a result of our shared commitment and mutual effort to safeguard our national interests, and secure a peaceful region,” he also said.</p><p>The Philippines has been ramping up engagements with the US as well as other security partners in light of increased aggression by the People&#x27;s Republic of China in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>The US Navy in a separate statement said maritime cooperative activities demonstrate a &quot;collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Professional engagement with allies, partners, and friends in the region allows us to build upon our existing, strong relationships and continue to learn from each other,&quot; Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1), said in the statement.</p><p>Wosje added that the US and the Philippines are &quot;ironclad allies&quot; that &quot;share the common goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific, assuring access to the seas.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/13/ph-navy-holds-over-400-maritime-patrols-surveillance-flights-in-west-ph-sea-1623">PH Navy holds over 400 maritime patrols, surveillance flights in West PH Sea</a></div><p>Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), meanwhile noted that bilateral exercises in the region have grown in scale and complexity, saying they are &quot;proud to participate in combined operations that maintain stability in the region and reinforce deterrence.&quot;</p><p>&quot;As the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 1, Carl Vinson is both excited and honored to conduct maritime exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,&quot; he said.</p><p>The bilateral maritime cooperative activity came amid the continued lingering of China&#x27;s &quot;monster ship&quot; at a distance of 60-70 nautical miles from the Philippine territory.</p><p>For the past two weeks, the Philippine Coast Guard has been closely monitoring the Chinese vessel&#x27;s illegal activities, telling it to withdraw from Philippine waters.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/18/chinas-monster-ship-still-operating-unlawfully-near-ph-territory-pcg-0948">China&#x27;s &#x27;monster ship&#x27; still &#x27;operating unlawfully&#x27; near PH territory: PCG</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4GJ_dE5R1mQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;CONSISTENT WITH INT&#x27;L LAW&#x27;</strong></div><p>The US Navy said maritime cooperative activities are conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.</p><p>Participating units include the US Navy Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and a US Navy P-8A assigned to Commander, Task Force 72, alongside Gregorio del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessel BRP Andrés Bonifacio (PS 17) and Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151) from the Philippine Navy, the US Navy said.</p><p>Brawner said the Philippines also sent FA50 fighter aircraft as well as Search and Rescue units to the exercise.</p><p>CSG-1 consists of Carl Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) one, Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110).</p><p>CVW-2 comprises nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks. </p><p>The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the US 7th Fleet area of operations — the US Navy&#x27;s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet. </p><p>The fleet routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region, said the US Navy.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nfLuwYqP6WI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Navy conducted a bilateral maritime cooperative activity in the South China Sea this weekend to stress their militaries' longstanding partnership in the maritime domain.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Navy conducted a bilateral maritime cooperative activity in the South China Sea this weekend to stress their militaries' longstanding partnership in the maritime domain.