Joint drills bolster US, Japan, PH capacity vs. maritime challenges — AFP

Following the completion of a cooperative activity with the navies of Japan and the United States, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the conduct of joint naval drills boost the capability of allied nations to respond to maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

In a statement, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) exercises would further enhance interoperability and strengthen the combined capabilities of participating forces.

"Every iteration strengthens our capacity to respond to maritime security challenges while reinforcing our collective ability to safeguard our national interests," said Brawner.

"The MMCA continuously highlights the vital improvements in our coordination, tactics, and shared maritime awareness," he said.

On March 28, the Philippines together with the defense forces of Japan and the US conducted a joint sail as part of the MMCA in the West Philippine Sea.

In the joint maritime exercise, the Philippines featured BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), AW 109 helicopter, C90 aircraft, and PAF Search and Rescue (SAR) assets.

For its part, the US's guided missile destroyer DDG Shoup (DDG-86), multi-mission naval helicopter MH60-R, and maritime patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon participated in the trilateral activity.

Meanwhile, Japan deployed its multi-mission frigate JS Noshiro (FFM-3) with a maritime helicopter SH-60K. In a statement, the Japanese Embassy said the exercise followed the inaugural port call of JMSDF JS Noshiro at the Naval Operating Base Subic (NOBS).

The AFP said the joint sea drills consisted of various exercises including Communications Check Exercise, Rotary Flight Operations, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) / Contact Reporting, Division Tactics (DIVTACS), Personnel Exchange and Photo Exercises (PHOTOEX).

The latest MMCA coincided with the Manila visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who spoke about the three countries' joint sail during a press conference also on Friday.

"I know [President Donald Trump] values greatly the ability to bring together an alliance as opposed to just unilateral action which is never as effective," Hegseth said. 

The US Defense chief also affirmed Trump's support for America's alliance with the Philippines during his courtesy call on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within the Philippines' territory and claims have been renamed by the government as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including the Luzon Sea and the waters around, within, and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that they had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News