MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — A Japanese Coast Guard vessel has arrived in Manila for a joint exercise, though the Philippine Coast Guard says it wasn’t timed to coincide with a tribunal’s ruling on manila’s case against china’s claims in the South China Sea.
Commander armand balilo, the philippine coast guard’s spokesman, said the Japanese vessel PHL02 Tsugaru docked at Manila’s south harbor on Monday. Some 50 Japanese and 70 Filipino coast guard personnel will take part in Wednesday’s drills. Australia and the United States have sent observers.
The exercise aims to enhance understanding and capabilities to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea, to acquire knowledge and skills in airlift rescue operations. The activities will include ship boarding, search and seizure exercises.
The Philippine Coast Guard will also deploy its vessels and helicopters for the joint exercise.