MANILA, Philippines â The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the recent joint maritime exercises with the United States are aimed at enhancing maritime capabilities, refuting Chinaâs âprovocationsâ and âmuscle flexingâ claims in the disputed waters.
âExercises like the MCA (Maritime Cooperation Activity) are aimed at enhancing our maritime capabilities and interoperability with the United States, our defense treaty ally, with the view to ensuring security and stability in the region. It does not target any third country,â DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a text message sent to reporters on Friday.
This demolished the claims from Chinese authorities that the Philippines and the United States are âmuscle flexingâ and that these âprovocative military activitiesâ during the MCA wonât solve maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
According to the DFA, the MCA is a routine activity approved by the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board under the Philippinesâ Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.
âIt was conducted within the Philippinesâ exclusive economic zone and was consistent with international law,â Daza said.
âIt also demonstrates the significant improvement in the Philippinesâ defense capabilities and the development of a world-class navy and armed forces capable of carrying out its mandate to defend the territorial integrity of the Philippines and our maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea,â she added.
On January 3, the United States and the Philippines held its second MCA in the West Philippine Sea, to which China âcondemnedâ and called the two nations to halt its âirresponsible moves.â
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague voted in favor of the Philippines in its dispute against China in the South China Sea in 2016, and despite the ruling giving the authority to the Philippines over the disputed waters, China has been consistent in safeguarding the area, intimidating Filipino fishermen, and building artificial islands.
Various calls from Philippine lawmakers have been made to condemn Chinaâs âillegal activitiesâ in the West Philippine Sea including harassment, shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuvers, and radio challenges.
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