Nothing wrong with US naval commander’s flight in West PH Sea–Iriberri

US Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Scott Swift pays a visit to AFP chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo. PHOTO C/O THE PHILIPPINE NAVY

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri has said he sees nothing wrong with US Pacific Fleet Adm. Scott Swift’s surveillance in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as part of his Manila visit.

“We find nothing wrong with Admiral Swift’s flight over the West Philippine Sea as they were flying over international waters,” Iriberri told reporters in a text message on Wednesday.

Swift joined the seven-hour patrol mission of a Boeing P-8 surveillance plane around the disputed waters on Saturday.

He visited the Philippines last week and the surveillance was part of his itinerary.

Swift assumed the leadership of the US Pacific Fleet, which takes care of maritime interests of the US, in May.

“It is customary for new military commanders to go around and see firsthand his area of responsibility and check the capabilities of his force,” Iriberri said.

In response to Swift’s surveillance mission, China said the US should not take sides in the matters of South China Sea.

China’s defense ministry said the US should “take more actions to promote regional peace and stability and not the opposite.”

The Philippines is an ally of the United States, but the latter has repeatedly said it does not take sides in the dispute.

China has sweeping claims in the South China Sea, with the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia as other claimants.