Senators, NSC defend PH-US joint patrols in WPS

Philippine senators and the National Security Council (NSC) are defending the country's right to conduct joint patrols with the United States in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated that these patrols are in accordance with international law, the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty, and the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Año refuted China's claim that the Philippines has enlisted 'foreign forces' to patrol the WPS, calling it 'unfounded'.

The joint patrols, which included the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US Indo-Pacific Command (INDO-PACOM), were conducted from November 21 to 23.

These activities took place within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), between 40 to 140 nautical miles from mainland Luzon and Palawan.

The Philippines asserts its sovereign right to conduct these patrols with partners to ensure regional security and stability.