Philippines, Japan, US hold West Philippine Sea drills

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines, Japan and the United States have conducted five-day maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea.

From July 21 to 25, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, United States Pacific Command and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force held the 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity.

The MMCA iteration enhanced maritime capabilities by incorporating anti-submarine warfare training and exercising standard operating procedures and tactics.

The drills brought together warships, fighter jets, surveillance aircraft and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. 

Participating Philippine assets included the BRP Antonio Luna, Philippine Navy AW109 helicopter, Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter aircraft, TC90, an A-29B Super Tucano, a C-208B aircraft and a Sokol search and rescue helicopter.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malabrigo in support of the activity.

Other assets included Japan’s Murasame-class destroyer JS Yudachi, US Navy Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara and a P-8A Poseidon assigned to Patrol Squadron 26.

The exercises began a day after the China Coast Guard blasted with a water cannon Philippine Navy personnel stationed on the Sierra Madre in Ayungin.

Washington said Beijing’s troubling pattern of provocation against lawful Philippine maritime operations undermines regional peace and stability and contradicts China’s repeated commitments to resolve disputes peacefully.