PH, US, Japan finish another drill amid renewed WPS tensions

MANILA, July 27 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), along with its American and Japanese counterparts, completed another round of joint maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), amid renewed tensions between Manila and Beijing over an incident near Ayungin Shoal.

The AFP said the 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) was conducted July 21 to 25 with the United States Pacific Command and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Participating Philippine assets included the BRP Antonio Luna (FFG-15), a Philippine Navy AW109 helicopter, Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter aircraft, TC-90 aircraft, A-29B Super Tucano, C-208B aircraft, and a Sokol search-and-rescue helicopter, according to a news release over the weekend.

The Philippine Coast Guard also deployed BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Malabrigo(MRRV-4002). The US sent the USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32), an MH-60S helicopter, and a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, while Japan deployed the destroyer JS Yuudachi (DD-103). Participating forces conducted communication exercises, replenishment-at-sea operations, division tactics, officer-of-the-watch maneuvers, rotary-wing deck landing qualifications, photo exercises, vertical replenishment, cross-deck landings and fly-by operations. “The conduct of the 17th MMCA for 2026 underscores the enduring partnership among the partner nations in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region,” the AFP said in a statement.

The military said the exercises also reflected the AFP's continuing commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight while deterring “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities” in the West Philippine Sea. The latest MMCA coincided with heightened tensions following the reported assault by China Coast Guard personnel on Philippine Navy servicemen during a mission near Ayungin Shoal earlier this week.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to Malacañang to protest the incident and called for a reset in Philippine-China relations to prevent similar confrontations from happening again. The Philippines, the US and Japan have regularly conducted MMCAs in the West Philippine Sea as part of efforts to improve maritime interoperability and strengthen cooperation among like-minded partners.

New AFP chief in Pag-asa

Newly installed AFP chief General Antonio Nafarrete visited Pag-asa Island on Saturday and met with the personnel of Joint Task Unit Pag-asa Island. Nafarrete awarded the personnel and lauded them for their steadfast dedication, professionalism and sacrifices in safeguarding the country’s sovereign rights in the WPS. “Your mission here is more than guarding an island. Your professionalism, discipline, and quiet determination embody the very best of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the AFP chief said. He also assured the troops of the AFP’s continued commitment to enhance their operational capabilities and provide the necessary support to ensure the effective and safe accomplishment of their mission.

Source: pna.gov.ph