THE discussions between the Philippines and the United States on 'joint sails' in the South China Sea are now in the advanced stages, the National Security Council (NSC) disclosed on Wednesday.
Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, NSC spokesman, said several operational details on the joint maritime patrols are just being ironed out.'We are hopeful that this will be launched before the end of this year,' Malaya said in a public briefing.The purpose of the joint patrol, the NSC spokesman had said, is to ensure freedom of navigation by keeping sea lanes open.'It is clear under international law what international seas are.
In a joint statement after the 2+2 ministerial meeting held in Washington DC last April, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, then-Defense officer in charge Carlito Galvez Jr., US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary Austin 3rd said both sides have committed to 'finalize plans for the resumption of combined maritime activities, including the conduct of joint sails by the US and Philippine navies, in the South China Sea.
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