MANILA: The Philippine and U.S. air forces conducted joint aerial patrols over the South China Sea on Tuesday, as the Philippines monitored the presence of three Chinese naval vessels within its maritime zones, a military official confirmed.
According to Philippine Air Force spokesperson Maria Consuelo Castillo, the one-day exercise took place in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's designation for parts of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone.
The drills involved two Philippine FA-50 fighter jets and two U.S. B1-B bombers, flying over Scarborough Shoal—a contested maritime feature currently under Chinese control.
Castillo emphasized that the patrols were a routine part of military training and not a direct response to any specific incident. However, joint security operations between Manila and Washington have increased significantly under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., amid growing tensions with Beijing over territorial disputes.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy reported that it was closely tracking three Chinese naval vessels, including a Jiangkai-class guided missile frigate, within the country’s maritime boundaries. Navy spokesperson John Percie Alcos criticized China's actions, stating they demonstrated a disregard for international law and threatened regional stability.
In contrast, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency cited a spokesperson from the People's Liberation Army’s Southern Theater Command, asserting that the Chinese fleet's movements adhered to international maritime law.
Earlier in January Philippines stopped a scientific research on island due to aggressive interaction with Chinese navy boats.
