MILITARY vessels from Japan, the United States, Canada, and the Philippines gathered at Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
The two-day joint maritime drills were held on the 16th and 17th of June.
Military vessels involved in the drill included Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Kirisame (DD 104), U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17).
The latest exercises in the disputed waterway took place after the Philippines conducted a joint maritime activity with Japan, Australia, and the United States.in April was perceived as a show of force towards China.
China held naval and air patrol in the disputed waterway in the same month.
