PH wraps up West Philippine Sea drills with NZ, US, Australia

Philippine, New Zealand and Australian personnel pose for a group photo aboard BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) after completing a successful RHIB transfer. — Photo by Edward Bungubung

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States have wrapped up joint maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea aimed at enhancing interoperability and reinforcing adherence to international law amid persistent tensions in the region.

The two-day activity, held from Thursday to Friday, marked the 12th iteration of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), it involved coordinated sea and air operations such as anti-submarine warfare, replenishment-at-sea, and cross-deck drills.

Philippine, New Zealand and Australian personnel aboard BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) link arms in a show of camaraderie and maritime cooperation. — Photo by Edward Bungubung

Participating warships included the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) of the Philippines, HMAS Ballarat (FFH155) of Australia, HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) of New Zealand and USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) of the US Navy. Philippine aircraft, the AW159 Wildcat and A-29B Super Tucano, also joined the activity.

AFP spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the joint engagements “further reinforce the AFP’s commitment to strengthening defense partnerships geared toward enhancing the country’s maritime security posture and protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.”

The activity, he added, highlights the “enduring commitment” of the four nations to promote maritime cooperation and uphold peace and stability under a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) and the US Navy’s USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) conduct a fueling-at-sea exercise during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea on October 30. — Photo by A1C Castro PAF/PAOAFP

Commander Rob Welford, commanding officer of the New Zealand vessel, said the exercise included simulated anti-submarine operations and refueling maneuvers. It was the first time a New Zealand warship joined the multilateral activity with the Philippines.

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Chinese ships monitored

During the drills, the Philippine Navy confirmed that at least five Chinese vessels were monitored in the area.

A People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Luyang-class destroyer, with bow number 165, came closest to the BRP Jose Rizal.

BRP Jose Rizal operations officer Lt. Cmdr. Michael Andres said that at one point, the ship had to change course during an aircraft launch.

“There were instances when we needed to adjust our course during flight operations,” he said. “The closest distance between us (and PLAN 165) was about three to five nautical miles.”

He added that whenever they encounter foreign vessels entering the area, the crew makes sure to issue a challenge.

Cmdr. Rob Welford, commanding officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Aotearoa (A11), likewise confirmed that Chinese ships were seen nearby but did not interfere with the activity.

“They were interested in us,” he told reporters in Manila on Friday. “We come on these deployments to operate with our friends. If someone else feels that’s provocative, that’s up to them.”

The HMNZS Aotearoa participated on Day 1 and sailed to Manila on Oct. 31 for a series of defense engagements with Filipino officials.

Philippine Navy personnel and their counterparts from HMAS Ballarat (FFH155) pose for a group photo after completing a cross-deck landing exercise. — Photo by Edward Bungubung

Drones were also spotted flying above the Philippine warship on Thursday evening, although their origin has yet to be confirmed.

Andres said the presence of drones would only be a concern if they were armed. “This would only pose a risk if the drone were weaponized,” he said. “We have existing countermeasures against drone attacks.”

Philippine Navy personnel facilitate the RHIB transfer of Royal Australian Navy crew members back to HMAS Ballarat (FFH155), demonstrating close coordination at sea. — Photo by A1C Castro/PAOAFP

New Zealand’s participation came months after the signing of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in April. In June 2024, New Zealand also signed a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement with the Philippines.

New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell told reporters in Manila on Friday that the ship’s visit reflected his country’s growing engagement with the Philippines.

“These exercises show our shared commitment to regional peace and to international rules and norms, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Kell said.

The MMCA series began in 2024 and has since become a regular platform for the AFP and its partners to boost coordination in protecting sea lanes and maintaining stability in the West Philippine Sea. /das/cb