China has nothing to worry about PH Navy drills with Japan

Chinese vessel in Ayungin Shoal (PNP/AFP Photo)

MANILA — Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus Millan on Sunday said that China has no reason to be worried about the scheduled naval exercises with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) this coming May 12.

He added that the drills will only focus on Code of Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) which will be done during the conduct of the so-called “passing exercise” or “Passex” in naval parlance.

Millan said CUES was developed by member navies of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium and is very useful for the safety of military vessels meeting at sea.

“Even the US promise to abide by that code,” he added.

The Navy chief also clarified that the naval drills with their Japanese counterparts has nothing to do with the ongoing dispute at West Philippine Sea.

Participating in the naval drills are JMSDF ships, JDS Harusame (DD-102) and JDS Amigiri (DD-154).

The two ships and their 600 officers and enlisted personnel arrived at the Manila South Harbor last May 9.

Millan said the Japanese contingent is headed by Capt. Masatoshi Kashihara, JMSDF commander of Escort Division Two.

PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna earlier said the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) and her AW-109E naval helicopter will participate in the exercise which will be held off the waters of Subic Bay and Manila Bay.

“The exercises we will be having are aimed at fostering camaraderie, as well as enhancing cooperation and interoperability,” he added.

The navies will be participating in on-ship helicopter operations, cross-deck training, in-port ship store, discussions on practices, and a passing exercise at sea.

He added that the passing exercise will be held in waters of the West Philippine Sea, between Manila and Subic Bay, on Tuesday as the Japanese ships return home.