HEADLINES
US-PH air forces hold joint patrol; Chinese military airs displeasure
2/20/24, 9:10 AM
Air force units of the United States and the Philippines held a joint patrol within the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines on Monday (Felbruary 20) as part of the Maritime Cooperative Activity of the two countries.
Swiftly, China’s military slammed the activity as it accused Philippines of having “stirred up trouble” with “extraterritorial countries”.
China’s Southern Theater Command resented the Philippines bid to hype its joint patrol with the US Air Force.
The Chinese military command said it put up its naval and air forces to closely monitor the joint patrol, adding that its troops “maintained a high degree of vigilance to resolutely defend national sovereignty.”
PAF spokesperson Col. Consuelo Castillo said the joint patrol flew over areas 90 nautical miles of Candon, Ilocos Sur and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang Island in Mindoro.
Involved in the patrol were two US B52H bomber planes and three Philippine FA -50 jet fighters. The five planes conducted a fly-by within the EEZ of the Philippines, the PAF said.
“The cooperate e activity aims to bolster cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their US counterparts, thereby enhancing interoperability between its Air Forces, Castillo said,
She said the activity demonstrated both nations commitment to a free Indo-Pacific.