FILE PHOTO: Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. delivers his speech at the 22nd General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of Asean Countries 2023 (VECONAC 2023) at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Thursday that it is “very likely” that the Philippines will conduct more West Philippine Sea patrols with other countries.
According to Teodoro, among countries that expressed the desire to conduct joint West Philippine Sea patrols with the Philippines are France, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
“It is very likely with other countries,” Teodoro said over CNN Philippines when asked about the likelihood of more joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
“This is because they see really the cumulative value of working together towards a free and open Indo-Pacific and a rules based international order,” he also said.
READ: China aircraft, warship shows up as US surveillance plane patrols West PH Sea
Last month, the Philippines conducted joint patrols with Australia and the United States in the western section of the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Chinese jets seen shadowing PH aircraft during AFP drill with Australia
Chinese Coast Guard vessels and warships were spotted during the joint patrol.
Beijing’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea stemmed from its belief that it owns almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, despite a landmark 2016 international tribunal ruling that dismissed its sweeping nine-dash line claim.
READ: Marcos says joint patrols with US have started in West Philippine Sea