The Philippine Navy and the United States Pacific Fleet have agreed to further improve and strengthen their strategic partnership to better address common regional security concerns.
The enhanced cooperation between the navies was discussed during the courtesy call of US Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Samuel Paparo to Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado at the PN Headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Manila on Thursday, 18 August.
Paparo described naval relations between the PN and the US Pacific Fleet to be at “exciting times right now and moving ahead.”
The upcoming maritime exercises between PN and the US Pacific Fleet with other marine forces include the “Pagsasama” and “Balikatan,” as well as the conduct of bilateral activities under the recent signing of the Maritime Security Framework “Bantay Dagat,” which are scheduled next year.
Bordado also apprised Paparo on the status of the implementing guidelines of “Bantay Dagat” (Guardian of the Sea), a maritime security framework signed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Indo-Pacific Command last 23 May, aimed at improving regional maritime domain awareness.