PH, US, Japan boost security cooperation with another WPS drill
The Philippines, the United States, and Japan conducted another round of maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), underscoring the deepening security cooperation between the country and its allies.
The 13th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), held Friday and Saturday, brought together major assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, US Indo-Pacific Command, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, according to a news release.
The AFP deployed its two missile-capable frigates, BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), along with an AW159 helicopter.
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The US sent the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group led by the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while Japan fielded JS Akebono (DD-108) and an SH-60K Seahawk.
The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cape San Agustin also supported the mission, enhancing maritime domain awareness in the WPS.
The AFP said the exercise featured a full suite of interoperability drills: communications checks, resupply-at-sea approaches, antisubmarine exercises, maritime domain awareness reporting, cross-deck helicopter landings, formation maneuvers, and a final integrated exercise.
It added that the sustained MMCA series reflects the AFP’s commitment “to safeguarding the nation’s sovereign rights and advancing collective defense readiness with trusted partners,” especially amid continued Chinese harassment of Philippine vessels.
Firmer stance
The Marcos administration has taken a firmer stance in the WPS by expanding joint patrols, filing more diplomatic protests, and pushing transparency by publicly releasing videos of growing Chinese aggression in the vital waterway.
Chinese troops have been harassing Philippine ships en route to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, including engaging in dangerous blocking maneuvers, even ramming or training water cannons on local vessels, actions Manila has denounced as violations of international law.
China is claiming virtually the entire South China Sea, including maritime territories and features within the WPS that are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
A landmark arbitral ruling in 2016 has invalidated the expansive claims of China, which has refused to recognize it.
The trilateral drills follow the historic PH-US-Japan leaders’ summit in April, where the three countries pledged deeper maritime cooperation, more joint patrols, and expanded defense coordination. —WITH A REPORT FROM PRIAM NEPOMUCENO/PNA
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