London: The Indian and the Philippine navies not too long ago carried out a joint drill near the South China Sea. The train occurred in waters of strategic significance for Manila. The manoeuvres have change into a speaking level within the Philippines.
Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr., former overseas minister of the Philippines and now the nation’s ambassador to the UK, spoke in regards to the Indian Navy on X. He stated the Indian Navy sails wherever it chooses.
The Indian Navy is the one one with the balls to go the place it pleases; Western navies sing a cappella like castrati. https://t.co/c6GignjbCo
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 13, 2025
His comment got here throughout an internet change in regards to the current India-Philippines train. Locsin additionally took a swipe at Western navies. He in contrast them to castrati who sing a cappella. Castrati have been male singers in church choirs and opera homes who retained a high-pitched voice after being castrated earlier than puberty.
The ambassador’s remark was a part of a dialog in regards to the scope of the joint drill. The train occurred within the West Philippine Sea, a bit of the Indo-Pacific close to the Philippines. This drill got here shortly earlier than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s go to to India.
An analyst had described the drill as being inside a area that kinds a part of the bigger South China Sea. He additionally referred to China’s sweeping claims in these waters.
One other X person rejected that view. The person acknowledged that the drill was contained in the Philippines’ unique financial zone. He highlighted that the realm lies 1000’s of kilometres from mainland China.
The Philippine envoy joined the thread together with his reward for the Indian Navy. He additionally identified that this was not the primary such drill between the 2 navies. The West Philippine Sea hosted an analogous joint patrol in 2021.
Defence observers see these workout routines as an indication of deepening India-Philippines safety ties. The waters the place the 2 navies function are wealthy in assets. They’re additionally contested by Beijing.
For Manila, the presence of the Indian Navy alerts wider cooperation in defending maritime rights.