PASAY CITY -- Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday said the Philippines and its allies must expand existing defense cooperation programs to counter Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

Ejercito said the Philippines’ ongoing joint military exercises with the United States, as well as recent talks on the formation of a new defense pact with Japan, are crucial steps in achieving regional stability amidst China’s growing military aggression.

“Japan, Australia, and the United States, as well as countries that have territorial claims in the South China Sea have to band together so that we can put up a respectable force against China’s aggression,” he added.

“Because of China’s aggressive and hostile activities in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, it is important for nations to have alliances and coordinate with each other’s armed forces and coast guards to ensure that the freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea area is maintained,” he said in a statement.

On April 11, a day after China ended its massive military drills around Taiwan, the Philippines, and the US launched the biggest Balikatan exercise so far. More than 17,000 Filipino and American troops will be participating in the joint drills. 

The Balikatan Joint Military exercise was created under the US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries. 

Last week, Senators led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri met with Japanese lawmakers and security officials to discuss proposals seeking to establish similar defense agreements between the Philippines and Japan.

Joining Zubiri were Ejercito, Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva, Deputy Majority Floor Leader Mark Villar, and Senators Win Gatchalian, Sonny Angara, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay. (OSJVE)