Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. said that several countries, apart from the United States, have expressed their willingness to participate in the joint patrols with the Philippines amid the rising tension in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a report by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa, Brawner mentioned that joint sails are being prepared with the unnamed countries that have expressed interest in sailing with the Philippines.

Moreover, US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral John Aquilino said that the joint patrol between the US and the Philippines is already a "long-term" patrol since both started sailing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the first week of September.

This is a way to ensure the freedom of the seas and airspace, like other neighboring countries in tensioned regions.

Brawner and Aquilino made the statement after the Mutual Defense Board and Security Management Board meeting, where the Philippines and the US tackled the policy directions for the partnership of the two militaries.

Included in the discussion is the considered addition or increase to the enhanced defense cooperation agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines, which currently have nine locations in the entire island.