WARSHIPS and aircraft of the United States and Philippine militaries held exercises in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea amid tension between Philippines and China in the contested area.
The drills conducted Friday and Saturday under the Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) were the first to be held by the two armed forces this year. Four other MCAs have been held by the two sides since November 2023.
” This MCA is a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation,” said Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
“With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead. This is a result of our shared commitment and mutual effort to safeguard our national interests, and secure a peaceful region,” he added.
The Americans brought in seven assets for the activity – carrier USS Carl Vinson, guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton, guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett, two F-18 Hornet aircraft, an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, and a V-22 Osprey helicopter.
The Philippine side used the frigate BRP Antonio Luna, patrol vessel BRP Andres Bonifacio, two FA-50 fighter aircraft, and Air Force search and rescue assets.
AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the two sides held “communications check exercises, division tactics/officer of the watch maneuver, and a photo exercise” last Friday.
“The exercises continued on January 18 (Saturday) with the participants conducting dissimilar aircraft combat training,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad said the MCA was conducted at the Palawan side of the WPS.
The Philippine Coast Guard has been actively monitoring and challenging a “monster ship” of the Chinese Coast Guard, which has been conducting patrols some 60 to 70 nautical miles from Zambales since January 4.
The Philippine government has lodged a diplomatic protest against the illegal presence of the Chinese vessel within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said in a statement issued on Saturday night the PCG’s BRP Gabriela Silang “is boldly asserting its stance against any attempt to legitimize illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea.”
“By confronting the presence of Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 5901, the PCG sends a clear message: the normalization of unlawful deployments will not be accepted or tolerated,” he said.
BRP Gabriela Silang again issued a radio challenge to the Chinese vessel on Saturday, to remind the Chinese of their “unlawful actions.”
On whether the PCG is setting a deadline for the Chinese vessel to leave the area, Tarriela said, “It is beyond our agency’s mandate to impose deadline or ultimatum on the coast guard of another state actor.”
The National Security Council (NSC) said it is “truly grateful” for the strong public support for government’s efforts to assert the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
National Security Adviser and concurrent NSC director general Eduardo Año made the statement on Saturday afternoon in response to results of an OCTA Research survey conducted from November 10 to 16 last year, and released last Friday.
The results showed 84 percent of Filipinos support the government’s efforts to “protect and assert” the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“This affirmation from the people reflects a shared commitment to protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Año.
He also noted findings that 91 percent of Filipinos are aware of the territorial dispute. He said it is evident that the public is “not only informed but also united in supporting the country’s efforts to defend its rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea.”
“In this context, it is essential to highlight that the Philippine government is acting in full accordance with both domestic and international law. The Philippine Maritime Zones Law and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law provide the legal framework through which the government asserts control over our maritime zones and secures the rights of our people,” he said.
Año said these laws are aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s excessive claim in the South China Sea.
“The public support for our efforts strengthens our resolve in defending our maritime rights and securing the future of our nation through lawful means,” said Año.
“We will continue to emphasize sustainable fishing practices, marine conservation, and the protection of all economic activities in the West Philippine Sea, especially those of our fishermen,” added Ano.
Año said the “unity and awareness” of Filipinos are “vital as we continue to address these challenges,” referring to the territorial dispute.