Philippine and US navies hold maritime cooperative activity in contested waters

The Philippine and United States navies held a maritime cooperative activity in contested waters on Wednesday.

Footage shows ships from the allied nations sailing in waters inside the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone west of Palawan province on July 31.

The participating vessels included the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, and the US Navy's littoral combat ship, the USS Mobile.

In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said: 'These joint exercises with our ally are crucial in enhancing our naval capabilities and ensuring that we can effectively collaborate to safeguard our maritime interests. The partnership between the PN and the USN continues to be a pillar of regional stability.'

AFP public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said no Chinese vessels were detected in the area while the drills were being held.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.