MANILA, Feb. 21 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday welcomed the visit of the 42,500-ton French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle and its escorts, which are expected to arrive in the country on Saturday.

The stopover is part of the French Navy's "Clemenceau 25" mission.

"This historic stopover marks the first visit of the French Navy's aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle to the Philippines, as it makes an operational break in Subic Bay and Manila on Feb. 22, 2025," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a message to reporters.

He also said French Navy forces "are expected to conduct combined naval and air exercises alongside the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force in the West Philippi...