(UPDATE) THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the French Navy engaged in a maritime cooperative activity on Friday, marking the third consecutive week of such naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Chinese ships near the coast of Bolinao, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Philippine and French forces collaborated in a series of activities designed to enhance their interoperability, communication and defense capabilities, within the joint operational area of the Northern Luzon Command.