Joint Patrols Between France and the Philippines

The French ambassador to the Philippines, Marie Fontanel, reported that her country is prepared to conduct joint maritime and aerial patrols with the Philippines in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippine News Agency quoted Fontanel saying, "The possibility of conducting joint patrols will be demonstrated after discussing the agreement regarding the legal status of the presence of forces from both countries on each other's territories, which is a fundamental and necessary condition for us to organize this matter." The agency added that "France and the Philippines expect that the presidents of both countries, Emmanuel Macron and Ferdinand Marcos, will give the green light to start negotiations that will create legal frameworks for the presence of armed forces from both countries on each other's territories."