Philippines Deploys Warships to West Philippines Sea (Feb. 20, 2024)
The Philippines has deployed a warship off the waters of Palawan island facing the South China Sea to protect its maritime interests. Amid simmering tensions in the disputed waterway, Commodore Edward Ike De Sagon said the ship's presence in Palawan will serve as a reminder to all who would dare challenge our sovereignty that we stand ready and vigilant." It will also "bolster efforts of safeguarding the maritime domain and interests in the country's western frontier. The deployment of patrol corvette BRP Emilio Jacinto or the PS35 came days after the Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have traded blame over a spate of run-ins over territory. Palawan is also home to one of four additional bases that the United States military was given access to last year under the Philippines' Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with its treaty ally. The province has rich fishing grounds and pristine beaches that are popular with tourists.
18 фев 2024
