Philippines, France discuss possible joint patrols in EEZs
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and France are looking into the possibility of holding joint patrols in their exclusive economic zones to develop interoperability.
Rear Admiral Jean-Mathieu Rey, joint commander of the French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific (ALPACI), discussed this possibility with his Filipino counterparts during his two-day working visit in Manila on March 7 and 8, the French Embassy said in a statement.
"We are under the same threat of natural disasters in our overseas territories. The second domain is the protection of our exclusive economic zone. We share the same necessity to protect our resources in our EEZs against threats such as illegal fishing," Rey said.
During his visit to Manila, Rey met with the following officials:
- Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado
- Philippine Coast Guard Commander Vice Adm. Artemio Abu
- Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice-Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria
- Philippine Fleet Commander, Rear Adm. Nichols Driz
The French and Filipino defense officials talked about ways to highlight France's commitment to a free, safe and open Indo-Pacific.
The French Embassy said the officials also affirmed their willingness to expand bilateral operations between both forces, particularly in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Rey leads the joint French armed forces operating in the Asia-Pacific based in French Polynesia. The joint force is composed of assets from the French Navy, the French Air and Space Force and regiments from the French Marine Infantry.
France has always been supportive of a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.
Following the July 2016 ruling of an UNCLOS-backed tribunal that invalidated Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea, Paris stressed that it will continue to sail its ships in the contested waterway.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2019, French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly declared that Paris will continue to sail more than twice a year in the South China Sea, addressing the issue with its own "steady, non-confrontational but obstinate way."
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