Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) — The Philippines and the United States on Wednesday held the second iteration of their maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea, but it faced a number of challenges.
Among them are Chinese vessels spotted sailing within the vicinity of the joint drills, with the Philippines issuing a radio challenge to question the presence of Chinese ships.
“They are not obstructing our movement pero ayon nga [but], they are monitoring our movements here in the training area,” said Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command.
In an interview with reporters aboard BRP Gregorio del Pilar on Wednesday afternoon, Carlos also said the MCA was delayed for a day due to unspecified reasons while several planned drills, including the gunnery exercise, were called off.
When pressed about the reasons, he said: “Ang sabi lang nila ay [The US said it is] due to some operational necessity, they have to re-allocate some of their forces to other tasks.”
In a statement hours later, the AFP said its assets and those of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) “performed advanced maritime communication exercises” for the first day of the joint drills.
It said the vessels completed division tactics, an exercise to “develop their confidence in maneuvering near other vessels.”
“Further, the conduct of these exercises requires complete coordination between PH-US assets to enhance the operational capabilities and interoperability of both forces,” it added.
American destroyer USS Sterett also sailed in the area about 80 miles from Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.
“The second maritime cooperative activity marks a significant leap in our alliance and interoperability with the United States,” AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. was quoted as saying.
“Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world,” he added. “We are advancing a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of regional challenges.”
The AFP said that during the two-day bilateral event from Jan. 3 to 4, they will conduct passing exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint patrols, officer of the watch (OOW) maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations.
It said it sent four Philippine Navy vessels, a SAR/multi-role helicopter, and an anti-submarine warfare capable helicopter for the second joint maritime patrol.
The USINDOPACOM would use its four US Navy vessels from the Carrier Strike Group 1, an aircraft carrier, a cruiser, two (2) destroyers, and multiple combat aircraft.
The MCA aims to boost interoperability among Filipino and American forces with the conduct of joint patrols and military drills at sea.
The Philippines and the United States launched their first joint maritime and air patrols in the West Philippine Sea in November 2023.
CNN Philippines senior correspondent David Santos contributed reporting aboard BRP Gregorio del Pilar in the West Philippine Sea.
