Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, Jr. on Monday clarified that the trilateral naval drill of the United States (US), Japan, and Australia did not happened.
This comes following a report that claimed that Philippines did not join the trilateral naval drill of the United States (US), Japan, and Australia.
"Wala namang exercise na ganun, ang suspetsa ko kasi from Australia yung exercise endeavor, kasama nila yung Japan, kasama nila yung Canada, kasama nila yung New Zealand yata, tapos tayo yung mga Marines natin nakasakay dun sa mga barko nila yung Canberra," Brawner said in a message sent to reporters.
"Yun tapos nagsail sila papunta dito pero on the way yung Canberra nalang ang tutuloy sa Palawan," he continued.
Kyodo News earlier reported that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will send their "largest destroyer" called Izumo.
Meanwhile, the Royal Australian Navy and the US Navy are expected to deploy their amphibious assault ships, Canberra and America, respectively.
Brawner said that the country actually has a plan to conduct joint exercises with other ally countries such as the US and Australia.
Japan, Australia, and the United States were among the countries that acknowledged the 2016 arbitration ruling in a 2013 case filed by the Philippines.
