PH, US, Japan hold fresh maritime drills in WPS

The Philippines, the United States and Japan conducted another round of multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea last week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday.

In a statement, the AFP said the three countries held the joint drills from November 14 to 15, underscoring their “growing unity and cooperation” in the region.

The AFP deployed two frigates—BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151)—along with an AW159 helicopter.

The US Indo-Pacific Command, meanwhile, fielded the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, composed of the USS Nimitz (CVN68), USS Wayne Meyer (DDG108), USS Gridley (DDG101) and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG123).

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) sent the JS Akebono (DD108), a Murasame-class destroyer; and an SH-60K Seahawk helicopter.

The Philippine Coast Guard also participated through the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) and BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV 4408).

According to the AFP, participating forces carried out a series of coordinated maritime and aerial operations.

The exercise includes rendezvous procedures, comms checks, maritime domain awareness reporting, resupply-at-sea approaches, anti-submarine warfare training, cross-deck landing, division tactics, and a photo exercise.

“The continuing MMCA series reflects [the AFP’s] commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereign rights and advancing collective defense readiness alongside trusted partners,” the AFP said.

It added that the engagements not only reaffirm the Philippines’ resolve to protect its maritime domains, but also highlight its shared commitment with allies to strengthen deterrence, improve interoperability, and uphold freedom of navigation under a rules-based international order.

Last week’s activity was the eighth MMCA held this year and the 13th since the initiative began.—MCG, GMA Integrated News