For 1st time, Philippines, Japan warships sail jointly in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Japan has sent a warship for a joint sail with a Philippine Navy vessel for the first time under the recently signed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), highlighting the strengthening of the two nations’ defense relations.

The JS Sazanami of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) sailed alongside the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal yesterday in the West Philippine Sea as part of their Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) made possible by the signing of the RAA a month ago.

“This activity was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the two vessels conducted exercises at sea, which included a communications exercise, tactical maneuvering and a photographic exercise.

“This collaborative exercise enhanced the tactical capabilities of the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF and reinforced the strong ties and mutual commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” Trinidad said.

“The JMSDF and the PN are dedicated to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating their shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order,” he added.

The joint sail yesterday was the latest of similar activities undertaken by the Philippine Navy with the navies of allies like the US, Australia and France aimed at projecting their commitment to freedom of navigation and rule of law in the face of China’s growing aggressiveness in staking claims in the South China Sea.

The AFP noted that during yesterday’s joint sail, two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted in the area.

Specifically, the military said a  Jiangdao-class corvette and a Jingkai class frigate were observed tailing the formation within four nautical miles and 4.9 nautical miles, respectively.

“This did not interfere with the MCA, which successfully included communication exercises, tactical maneuvering and photographic exercises. The presence of the PLAN vessels was closely monitored, and the exercise proceeded as planned, achieving its objectives of improving tactical capabilities and strengthening cooperation between the JMSDF and the Philippine Navy,” the Navy said.

Japan has been very vocal in condemning China’s aggressive actions against Philippine vessels, especially during supply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Last Wednesday, Philippine and US naval forces also held a joint sail in the waters west of Palawan involving the USS Mobile and the Philippine Navy’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz.