• China slams exercises for ‘disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea’

ISTANBUL

The US, Japan, and the Philippines held a joint military exercise from Feb. 20 to 26 in the South China Sea, the Philippines' armed forces said in a statement on Friday.

The Philippine military said that the joint exercise “underscores the sustained commitment of partner forces to enhance interoperability, reinforce maritime security, and improve Maritime Domain Awareness in the region.”

During the exercise, the Philippine side used its Antonio Luna frigate as well as its AW159 helicopters and FA-50 fighter jets, while the US deployed the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey and a Poseidon plane, and Japan positioned a P-3 Orion aircraft.

The drill featured a communications check exercise, maritime domain awareness, replenishment at sea, joint air patrols, and fly-bys, according to the statement.

Capt. Jennifer Monforte of the Philippine Navy frigate Antonio Luna told reporters from Tokyo-based Kyodo News that the drill was aimed at enhancing "the interoperability of our armed forces to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific."

"It should not be viewed with concern, nor should it be seen by our neighbors as a provocative act," he added, noting the "illegal presence" of two Chinese navy ships on separate days during the course of the drill.

In response to the drills, China on Friday criticized the Philippines for “disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea, as it co-opted countries outside the region” to organize patrols.

Zhai Shichen, a spokesman for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said the navy of the theater “command conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea from Feb. 23 to 26,” according to a statement from the Defense Ministry.

The theater command forces “will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability,” Zhai said.