February 23, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Nagsanib puwersa ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at French Navy kaugnay ng isinagawang maritime exercise sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) na nilahukan ng tropa ng dalawang bansa at ng sea at air assets nitong Biyernes.
Ayon sa AFP, ito ang ikatlong Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) na naglalayong palakasin pa ang interoperability, komunikasyon at kapabilidad ng depensa. Ang maritime exercise ay isinagawa sa joint operational area ng AFP-Northern Luzon Command.
Kabilang sa mga ginamit na AFP assets ang BRP Jose Rizal, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, C90 aircraft, dalawang FA50s, at Search and Rescue Units ng Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Sa panig ng French Navy ay Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle (R91), Fregate Europeenne Multi-Mission Destroyer Provence (D652), Force Supply Vessel Jacques Chevallier (A725), Air Defense Destroyer Forbin (D620) at Aquitaine-class frigate Alsace (D656).
Inihayag ni AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. na sa pamamagitan ng maritime activities ay higit na mapapalakas ang seguridad sa WPS.
Nagkaroon din ng serye ng military drills tulad ng Communications Check Exercise, Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch maneuvers, Photo Exercise, Replenishment at Sea, rigid hull inflatable boats exchange ng mga personnel ng French at Philippine Navy, Anti-submarine warfare exercises, at Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Training.
“Through joint maritime cooperative activities and collaborative efforts, the AFP seeks to build a stronger, more resilient defense system that is prepared to address the challenges of the modern security landscape,” sabi pa ni Brawner.