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The Philippines
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South China Sea: after near collision with Chinese vessel, Philippines says joint patrols with US may be months away

  • The Philippine ambassador to the US said joint patrols between the two nations in the disputed South China Sea may begin later this year
  • Talks of the drills come after Beijing accused Manila of staging a near-collision between 2 coastguard vessels in the South China Sea for publicity last month

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A Philippine Coast Guard vessel deploys a boat to transport supplies at Philippine-occupied Nanshan Island or locally called Lawak in the South China Sea. Photo: AP
Reuters
Joint patrols between the Philippines and the United States in the South China Sea may begin later this year, a top diplomat said on Monday, just days after Washington clarified its commitment to defend Manila from an attack at sea.
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Discussions were continuing on the joint maritime patrols, which were announced in February, said Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez.

“An estimate would be no later than the third quarter of this year. We should have that in place,” he told CNN Philippines.

Talks of the maritime drills come after China accused the Philippines of staging a near-collision between two coastguard vessels in the South China Sea for publicity last month.

The near-miss happened after Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited Manila – as two Philippine ships engaged in a weeklong patrol of Philippine-held territory approached the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, known in China as Renai Reef.
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There has been a string of incidents near the Philippine-held reef, which is also claimed by mainland China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

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