Hindi nakatuon sa anumang bansa ang isinagawang joint maritime patrols sa pagitan ng mga sundalo ng Pilipinas at Australia sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Ito ang paglilinaw ni Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza sa Chinese government nitong Biyernes.
Layunin lamang aniya ng pagsasanay na mapalawak ang "interoperability" ng dalawang bansa alinsunod na rin sa kanilang defense cooperation.
“The Philippines and Australia are strategic partners and we have a status of visiting forces agreement. The combined maritime activity is nothing new. It is a regular joint exercise to enhance the interoperability of Philippine and Australian military forces, consistent with our long-standing defense cooperation,” pahayag ni Daza bilang tugon sa naging pahayag ng Chinese Ministry of National Defense.
“The Philippines’ defense cooperation activities with Australia are not targeted against any country," anang opisyal.
Matatandaang inilunsad ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at Australian Defence Force ang maritime activity sa exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas nitong Nobyembre 25-27.
Sa naturang joint patrol, inikutan ng dalawang Chinese fighter jet ang eroplano ng Philippine Air Force habang nagpapatrolya sa WPS.
PNA
