Nagsagawa ang defense forces ng Pilipinas, Australia, Japan, at ng United States nitong Linggo ng unang Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) sa West Philippine Sea, alinsunod sa kanilang commitment na palakasin ang regional at international cooperation.
Ayon sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), nilahukan ang MMCA ng Australian Defense Force (ADF), Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), at ng United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
Nagsagawa ang naval at air forces ng apat na bansa ng communication exercises at division tactics.
Kabilang sa mga nakilahok sa aktibidad ang BRP Gregorio Del Pilar na may AW109 helicopter, BRP Antonio Luna na may AW159 Wildcat ASW helicopter, at BRP Valentin Diaz mula sa Philippine Navy.
Kasama rin ang USS Mobile at P-8A Poseidon mula sa United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy HMAS Warramunga at Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, at ang JS Akebono mula sa Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces.
“The MMCA demonstrated the participating countries’ commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific through interoperability exercises in the maritime domain. It will also contribute greatly to the AFP’s capability development,” pahayag ng AFP.
“These activities were designed to enhance the different forces’ abilities to work together effectively in maritime scenarios,” dagdag nito.
Samantala, inihayag ng Department of National Defense (DND) na ang aktibidad ay “show of unity” ng apat na bansa, at dapat ding isagawa ng iba pang bansa sa buong mundo.
“We’re just practicing what is allowed under international law,” giit ni DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong. “If they (China) consider it as a show of force, that is up to them.”
Gayunman, inaasahan na ng DND na hindi ikatutuwa ng China ang aktibidad.
Sa pag-arangkada ng MMCA, nagsagawa rin ang China ng military “combat patrols” sa pinagtatalunang South China Sea.
MICHAEL DINGLASAN – HN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
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