The United States is helping Philippines to patrol West Philippines Sea
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Tuesday that unmanned US Navy surveillance planes conduct patrols to help monitor activities in Philippine waters, particularly in the South China Sea.
DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said US drones fly over Philippine waters during joint military exercises with the United States.
Hernandez said the joint exercises involve the use of P3C Orion aircraft and are aimed at upgrading the skills of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Every now and then, we have military exercises that involve US aircraft. One of the primary purposes is to upgrade the skills of the military in terms of maritime domain awareness as well as search and rescue,” Hernandez said.
“We need to tap every resource available to know what is going on in our seas,” he added.
A classified government document seen by Kyodo News on Friday confirmed that US Navy surveillance planes conduct routine maritime patrol in the South China Sea, particularly in the contested Spratly Islands.
President Aquino had earlier disclosed that Manila was seeking US deployment of P3C Orion spy planes over the disputed sea.
The P3C Orion, a land-based maritime surveillance and anti-submarine aircraft that can intercept communications, is described as one of the most sensitive planes in the US fleet.
Its reconnaissance flights are focused on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, a submerged shoal 128 nautical miles off the island province of Palawan.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Manila referred to the Philippine government queries on the report about US drones patrolling the disputed South China Sea.
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DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said US drones fly over Philippine waters during joint military exercises with the United States.
Hernandez said the joint exercises involve the use of P3C Orion aircraft and are aimed at upgrading the skills of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Every now and then, we have military exercises that involve US aircraft. One of the primary purposes is to upgrade the skills of the military in terms of maritime domain awareness as well as search and rescue,” Hernandez said.
“We need to tap every resource available to know what is going on in our seas,” he added.
A classified government document seen by Kyodo News on Friday confirmed that US Navy surveillance planes conduct routine maritime patrol in the South China Sea, particularly in the contested Spratly Islands.
President Aquino had earlier disclosed that Manila was seeking US deployment of P3C Orion spy planes over the disputed sea.
The P3C Orion, a land-based maritime surveillance and anti-submarine aircraft that can intercept communications, is described as one of the most sensitive planes in the US fleet.
Its reconnaissance flights are focused on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, a submerged shoal 128 nautical miles off the island province of Palawan.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Manila referred to the Philippine government queries on the report about US drones patrolling the disputed South China Sea.
Read Full Article
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