US spycraft flying over South China Sea for 3 weeks
The United States says it has been flying its most advanced spy aircraft out of the Philippines to conduct surveillance mission over the South China Sea for three weeks.
The P-8A Poseidon was deployed in the Philippines until last week, making more than 180 flight hours over the South China Sea, the Navy said Thursday.
"It was a remarkable opportunity to work alongside the members of the Filipino armed forces," said US Navy Lieutenant Matthew Pool.
"Sharing this aircraft's capabilities with our allies only strengthens our bonds," he added.
This is the first time that the aircraft was deployed from the Philippines, according to a spokesman for the Philippine armed forces, Col. Restituto Padilla.
The Navy, however, has been deploying older P-3C Orions from Philippine bases since 2012 under a bilateral security agreement.
"We expect more surveillance planes to be deployed in the Philippines, increasing the frequency of rotation," Padilla said.
Beijing claims the South China Sea in its entirety, while other countries including the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam also have claims to the area and are in dispute with China.
China accuses Washington of meddling in the regional issues and deliberately stirring up tensions in the South China Sea.
SB/GJH
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