On Thursday, the navies of the Philippines and Canada conducted a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna of the Philippine Navy and the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa of the Royal Canadian Navy participated in the activity.
The two ships met and established radio communications near the Malampaya Natural Gas Platform around 7 a.m. They then performed maneuvers for Officers of the Watch (OOWs) until around 10 a.m.
This joint sail comes after the Philippine Navy and the United States Navy conducted a similar exercise in the WPS on September 4.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that these activities signify “the shared commitment of the Philippines, United States, and Canada in promoting a rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea and a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. had said that more countries, aside from the United States, had expressed intention for a joint sail in the WPS.
He added that the interest of other countries was “a very good indication” for the Philippines – that there were like-minded nations who want to promote rules-based international order and ensure security in the region.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 22, 2023
