- U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter has confirmed that U.S. troops and military equipment will be sent on regular rotation in the Philippines
- The joint naval patrols of the U.S. and the Philippines were agreed on in a meeting in Washington last January between the defense departments of the two countries
- The joint air and sea patrols between the two countries are in response to China’s increasing assertiveness in the region
MANILA, Philippines – U.S. troops and military equipment will be sent on regular rotation in the Philippines, as the two countries have started doing joint patrols in the South China Sea.
This was confirmed by the U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter on Thursday during his visit to the Philippines; adding that the U.S will immediately start air operations over the area.
Floyd Whaley mentioned in his article for The New York Times published on April 14 that joint naval patrols of the U.S. and Philippines were agreed upon in a meeting in Washington last January between the defense departments of the two countries.
Reports said the US will include aircraft and pilots currently participating in Balikatan joint military exercises for the South China Sea patrol.
During the joint military exercises held in the Philippines, the United States positioned 200 pilots and crew members, as well as six aircraft and three helicopters, at the former Clark Air Base, which is now part of the Philippine Air Force.
“The initial air contingent will conduct flight operations in the area, including the South China Sea, and lay the foundation for joint air patrols to complement ongoing maritime patrols,” Carter said.
An article by Yeganeh Torbat for Reuters published on April 14 said that aside from the personnel and the military equipment, the United States will also establish a command-and-control center in the Philippines to coordinate the joint operations.
During his arrival in the Philippines on Wednesday, Carter said that more Philippine bases would open to the American military in the future.
The U.S. Defense Secretary said that the joint air and sea patrols between the two countries is a response to concerns by the Philippines and other countries about China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
China claims most of the South China Sea as its territory and has now built artificial islands in areas that the Philippines and other countries have long considered their own.
“In the South China Sea, China’s actions — in particular — are causing anxiety and raising regional tensions,” said Carter.
“Countries across the Asia-Pacific are voicing concern with China’s land reclamation, which stands out in size and scope, as well as its militarization in the South China Sea,” he said.
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