MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) said Thursday that it is confident China will not see its naval exercise with United States troops near Panatag Shoal as a "show of force."
Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, AFP spokesperson, said that the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with the US will be held 60 nautical miles or 110 kilometers from the West Philippine Sea and far from Panatag Shoal, which is now under China's de facto rule.
"Ang pagpili ng lugar has been undertaken a long time ago ... long before the issue on the West Philippine Sea has happened. So it's not a show of force or an after-effect of the issue. This is interoperability," Tutaan said in a radio interview.
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Six warships including the US Navy's guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald and the Philippines' BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) frigate will be deployed for the joint naval exercise, which would include live fire drills.
Tutaan dismissed criticism against the naval exercises, which is a yearly event based on the mutual defense treaty between the US and the Philippines.
"It's not altogether a naval exercise in the strict sense of the word," the official said.
"We are putting everything in proper perspective as far as what the exercise is all about and where it is going to be undertaken kasi some would like to put it within the vicinity of Panatag shoal, but that is not the case," he said.
About 1,000 American and Filipino sailors and Philippine Coast Guard servicemen will take part in a joint naval exercise from June 27 to July 2.
Located 124 nautical miles from mainland Zambales, Panatag Shoal has been a traditional Filipino fishing ground until Chinese forces imposed naval and maritime defenses around it in 2012.