By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter
Philippine-US forces canceled the live drill on Monday after the Filipino Navy from the Philippine Navy sank in the waters near the Zambales province, directed for several hours in the South China Sea, before it could possibly be directed at their annual Balikatan exercise (arm to shoulder).
Ship Era Witt Witt Wit BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) sank on Monday morning resulting from difficult maritime conditions when towing to the area where the Philippines and the US planned to be released with the help of rocket systems and military jets, gave forces in a joint statement.
“Before towing the target ship to the BRP Operational Area, Miguel Malvar underwent cleaning the environment and preparation for Marstrike,” they said, referring to the planned strike drill.
Over 14,000 Filipino and American soldiers take part in Balikatan exercises, held in the Philippines in the face of regional ignition points, resembling the South China and Taiwan Sea, and with advanced American rocket systems. It began on April 21 and can last until May 9.
Their forces practiced learn how to repel the invasion of western and northern Philippines and did maritime exercises with allies resembling Australia in the exclusive economic zone of the country in the South China Sea.
They were also to sink BRP Miguel Malvar using FA-50 Filippines fighters, aircraft attacking A-29B turboprop, fast ships and analgesic missile system, while the US planned to make use of F-16 and F-18 fighters.
Despite the sinking of the Philippines and the US, they said that the strike exercise “remains intact” because they might proceed the virtual shock missions of the Navy to be able to practice command and control operations in the war scenario.
“The training will integrate soil, sea and air sensors and shooters in a combined, common network of fires, when Filipino and state-owned joint task force practices and control, while increasing the combined combat abilities,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Filipino department of maritime infantry soldiers conducted joint landing exercises in the Province of Palawan, where they simulated landing on the beach and tactical recovery of the island as a part of Balikatan exercises, as the armed forces of the Philippines said.
The Philippines and the US maintained exercises with Australian forces, while troops from Japan and Great Britain served as observers.
“He presented the growing interoperability and consistency among partner nations in maintaining regional security,” said the Filipino army.
Also on Monday, the Filipino army stated that it was prepared for police and election commission support by distributing over 16,000 soldiers throughout the country between control points and election elections during inter -terminal elections on May 12.
About 9,700 soldiers are stationed in over 63,000 election stations throughout the country, with 6,700 soldiers deployed at control points, he said in a separate statement. An additional 12,300 soldiers are able to be possible.
“Our soldiers have undergone a rigorous orientation for their roles during this critical democratic exercise,” said General Roy M. Galido, commanding General of the Filipino army.
Last week, the Chinese coastal guard said that he had conducted patrols of law enforcement agencies around the disputed scarborough scarf and nearby waters in the South China Sea.
The coastal guard said that it strengthened patrols from the starting of April and carried out tracking, supervision and captivation operations “in accordance with the regulations and regulations”, in accordance with the Chinese military website report.
He said that he warned and released “illegal ships”, which turned of their waters to guard the sovereignty and interests of China, China Military Online informed on April 30.
The tensions between the Philippines and China on the South China Sea deteriorated last 12 months, when Beijing still claims that his common claims, including on Scarborough Shoal, a key fishing that each nations which have been controlled since 2012.
Chinese patrols around Scarborough Shoal coincide with the Balikatan exercise, which goals to enhance interoperability and readiness to unravel common fears related to regional security. Beijing said the exercises are frightening.
The Balikatan exercises began in 1991 transformed into the most significant combat test of Southeast Asia, when the Philippines and the US are attempting to strengthen security cooperation and increase the interoperability of strength in response to the growing assertiveness of China in the region.
