Philippines and US navies conduct joint sail in South China Sea

This handout photo taken and released on Monday, September 4, 2023 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows Philippine sailors looking on as the US Navy’s USS Ralph Johnson guided missile destroyer (R) and the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Jose Rizal sail through waters west of Palawan in the South China Sea. - Photo from AFP

MANILA (Reuters): Naval vessels from the Philippines and United States conducted a joint sail through parts of the South China Sea lying within the Southeast Asian nation's exclusive economic zone, Manila's military said on Monday.

It was the first time the Philippines and Washington have carried out a joint sail in waters west of Palawan island, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command said.