The Philippines concluded its collaborative naval exercises with Australia and Canada close to a contested shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday, indicating strengthened defense relationships with partners in the tension-laden waters.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced late Wednesday that the Philippine frigate BRP Jose Rizal, Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane, and Canadian frigate Ville de Quebec navigated past Scarborough Shoal, marking the end of nearly two weeks of naval drills that were part of Exercise ALON (wave) 2025.<\/p>\n
The warships launched their naval activities off the shore of Palawan province and proceeded northward, as reported by the AFP, coinciding with the Philippines and Australia\u2019s largest military collaboration this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an essential part of Exercise ALON 2025, this interaction reinforces the Armed Forces of the Philippines\u2019 dedication to enhancing defense partnerships with like-minded countries,\u201d it stated in a release.<\/p>\n
The Philippine military had indicated that the maritime exercises aimed to maintain regional stability in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n
China asserts nearly the entire South China Sea under its disputed nine-dash line \u2014 a claim rejected by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei, whose exclusive economic zones are impacted.<\/p>\n
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, nullifying China\u2019s expansive claims over the disputed waters. Nevertheless, Beijing has declined to acknowledge the ruling and upholds a significant presence in contested areas, including the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.<\/p>\n
Philippine Colonel Dennis F. Hernandez, the executive agent for Exercise ALON, previously stated that the maritime drills are not directed at any specific nation, and are intended to uphold a \u201crules-based international order\u201d in the disputed territories.<\/p>\n
The Philippines has increasingly relied on multinational collaboration to bolster its maritime defenses. It has engaged in more frequent joint patrols and multilateral naval exercises in the South China Sea, often alongside US forces and other regional allies.<\/p>\n