SIX ships from four navies—including the Philippine Navy—which are participating in the Asean-Plus Defense Ministers’ Meeting Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (ADMM-Plus MARSEC FTX) in Busan, South Korea have carried out a “cooperative” sail in the South China Sea.
The cooperative sail by the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17) of the Philippine Navy, the JS Izumo and JS Murasame of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force vessel, INS Kolkata and Shakti of the Indian Navy and the USS William P. Lawrence of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet was carried out by the warships in international waters while on their way to Singapore for the second phase of the Asean maritime exercise.
The quadrilateral sail by the allies was the first in the history of the four navies, according to Lt. Maria Christina A. Roxas, public affairs officer of the Naval Task Group 80. 6, the PN contingent taking part in the regional exercise.
South Korea and Singapore are co-hosting the ADMM-Plus maritime training exercise.
“The group sail showed the active participation of the Philippine Navy as it strengthens its relationships with allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region. This gives us another opportunity to learn from like-minded navies,” Roxas quoted Captain Roy Vincent T. Trinidad, who is leading the Philippine Navy delegation to the exercise, as saying.
“Our bond of friendship with our regional partners is as strong as our commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region,” said Capt. Jerry Y. Garrido Jr., commander of the BRP Andres Bonifacio.
Roxas said the combined transit exercise deepened the partnership and fostered mutual understanding between the four navies. “As with other naval exercises, this activity is expected to validate the decades of friendship, partnership and cooperative engagement that has been long established and observed between the Philippines, US, Japan and India,” she said.
Roxas said that before the cooperative sail, Commander Andrew J. Klug, commanding officer of the USS William P. Lawrence, said his team was excited to take part in the multilateral sail.
“Professional engagements with our allies, partners and friends in the region allow us the opportunity to build upon our existing, strong relationships, as well as learn from each other,” Klug said.
An official statement from the Indian Navy also said its sail with three other navies was aimed at “enhancing maritime cooperation, synergizing maritime engagements, sharing best practices and standardizing operating procedures.”
Rear Admiral Hiroshi Egawa, commander of the JMSDF Escort Flotilla Division One, said the Japanese Navy is proud to be part of the historic quadrilateral event in international waters.
“I am glad that JMSDF is part of this historic activity. I look forward [to] more engagements with our partners in the region,” the Japanese Navy commander said.
Roxas said that during the week-long transit, the ships carried out a series of training exercises and social interactions.
She said the four navies transited through the West Philippine Sea invoking the “freedom of safe navigation” in support of a rules-based “international system benefiting all countries.”