Philippines, US deepen defence alliance with major naval exercise in South China Sea

Units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command successfully conducted the seventh bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In an official statement released on June 5, the AFP emphasized that the MCA aims to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the two militaries, reinforcing their joint capabilities in maintaining good order at sea, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Since November 2023, this marks the seventh iteration of the MCA exercises between the Philippines and the United States.

“A highlight of this iteration was the fire support rehearsal involving the US 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (3MLR) based in Subic. This serial tested joint coordination in a littoral combat environment, integrating forward observers, command and control elements, and fire support platforms for a smooth maritime operational effectiveness,” the AFP noted.

The exercise also marked a significant milestone for the Philippine Navy’s newest guided missile frigate, the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), which made its inaugural operational deployment since being commissioned on May 20. The ship’s participation offered an invaluable opportunity to test its performance within a multilateral setting.

“The mission provided a valuable opportunity to evaluate the ship’s performance in a multilateral environment and assess its readiness to operate alongside its partner nation, reaffirming its vital role in enhancing the AFP’s maritime capabilities,” the AFP added.

Beyond tactical training, the MCA serves broader strategic objectives including capacity building, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response preparedness. This was highlighted by the active involvement of the Philippine Air Force’s search-and-rescue W-3A “Sokol” helicopter and the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), showcasing the comprehensive nature of the cooperative drills.

Military engagements between the treaty allies have soared under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea.

China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

By Vafa Guliyeva