The US and the Philippines have launched joint air and sea patrols in the South China Sea in a provocative show of force amid rising tensions with China in the region.
Washington and Manila agreed earlier this year to conduct joint patrols in the disputed waters. In September, a US and Philippine warship conducted a “bilateral sail” in the South China Sea, but the patrol launched on Tuesday is being billed as the first of its kind in seven years.
“Today marks the beginning of joint maritime and air patrols— a collaborative effort between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command in the West Philippine Sea,” Philippine President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. wrote on X. He said the patrols would conclude on Thursday.
According to Financial Times, the patrol includes three Philippine warships and three Philippine aircraft joined by a US Navy littoral combat ship and a US reconnaissance aircraft. Patrols that were ended seven years ago by Marcos Jr.’s predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, did not include aircraft.
The patrol kicked off near the island of Mavulis, the Philippines’ northernmost island, which is just over 60 miles from Taiwanese territory. The patrol then headed further west into the South China Sea.
Emboldened by US support, Marcos Jr. has taken a much harder line against China’s claims in the South China Sea than Duterte. Over the past year, dangerous encounters between Chinese and Philippine vessels near disputed rocks and reefs have become common.
Whenever the incidents occur, the US reminds China that the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applies to attacks on Philippine boats in the South China Sea. Washington and Manila have taken steps to strengthen their decades-old military alliance, and the US has been granted access to four more bases in the country, including three in the north near Taiwan.
Tic toc, tic toc, where are the hands on the nuclear clock…..
90 Seconds to midnight.
Okay, are you tired of my frequent “Israel is so nice” posts you anti-Democracy crowd? How about changing to: The USA is so nice, two colossal horrible wars killing thousands of people is not enough for us, we want one more but a lot bigger! No… No… I mean much more BIGGER! …Huh? You like?
You know, I am really, really tired of the warmongers, Zionist lovers, evil pricks in our government. There are a few who are not. Many are. They need to be kicked out of office. Better yet, thrown out of office. We do not need stupid people ruining our lives by the second. Look what we have done in Gaza; https://www.dawn.com/news/1791572/photos-palestinians-buried-in-mass-grave-in-gazas-khan-younis Isn’t that grand? Handiwork of the “essential nation” , as Mr. Joe calls this country.
China has the weapons to deal with anything America has to throw at them , American politicians are scared to death of body bags coming home so will be very reluctant to commit boots on the ground , as a US Commander said recently America dosen`t fight unless it has over whelming air superiority , I.E can bomb at will with no fear of their fighters being shot down .
The US got to Bongbong Marcos after he got elected, and now Philippines is virtually just another US colony again.
Feb 1, 2022 — “Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, the son of a former dictator and ally of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, is the only presidential candidate to have openly vowed to continue Duterte’s pro-Beijing foreign policy while downplaying the nation’s alliance with the United States.” . .here
Anyhow there is still journalistic freedom in Philippines (unlike the US). . .from a recent Manila Times piece: