Isulong ang rules-based international order.

Ito ang mensahe sa buong mundo ng 2nd Philippines-United States Cooperative Maritime Activity na lumarga araw ng Miyerkules, ayon kay Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.

Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ni Brawner na matatag ang alyansa ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos sa pagsulong ng “rules-based international order” at isang malaya at bukas na Indo-Pacific Region, sa gitna ng mga hamon na kinakaharap sa rehiyon.

“Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world. We are advancing a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of regional challenges,” pahayag ni Brawner.

Ang bilateral maritime activity ng AFP at US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) sa West Philippine Sea (WOS) ay magtatapos ngayong araw, Huwebes, January 4, 2024.

“The second maritime cooperative activity marks a significant leap in our alliance and interoperability with the United States. It also demonstrates our progress in defense capabilities and development as a world-class armed force, as we carry out a mandate to protect the people and the state,” paglalahad ni Brawner.

Sa nasabing pagsasanay, nagpadala ang AFP ng apat na barko ng Philippine Navy, isang Search and Rescue (SAR)/multi-role helicopter, at isang anti-submarine warfare capable helicopter.

Sa panig naman ng USINDOPACOM, kalahok ang apat na barko ng US Navy mula sa Carrier Strike Group 1, na kinabibilangan ng isang aircraft carrier, isang cruiser, at dalawang destroyers; kasama ang ilang combat aircraft.

Tampok sa dalawang araw na maritime exercises ang passing exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint patrols, Officer of the Watch (OW) maneuvers, at fixed-wing flight operations.

Sa unang araw ng aktibidad, nagkita ang mga pwersa ng dalawang bansa sa karagatan ng Cabra Island, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro at nagsagawa ng Maritime Communication Exercises.