By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippines and the United States have further strengthened their maritime alliance after successfully conducting their fifth Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), reinforcing both nations’ commitment to regional security and freedom of navigation.
The two-day naval and air exercise, held from June 27 to 28, showcased the growing interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military amid continuing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
According to the AFP, the latest MCA featured a series of coordinated operations designed to improve joint military readiness, maritime domain awareness, and operational coordination while reaffirming support for a rules-based international order.
Leading the Philippine contingent was the guided missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG-15), accompanied by an AW-109 naval helicopter and Philippine Coast Guard vessels BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Capones (MRRV-4404).
The United States deployed two USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141) and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145), both from the United States Indo-Pacific Command.
The exercise included communication drills, division tactics, officer-of-the-watch maneuvering, formation sailing, search and rescue operations, maritime domain awareness activities, and photo exercises—all aimed at enhancing coordination between Philippine and American forces during real-world maritime operations.
“The two-day exercise conducted a series of interoperability activities including communication exercises, division tactics, officer-of-the-watch maneuvers, photo exercise, search and rescue exercise, and maritime domain awareness activity,” the AFP said in a statement.
Military officials emphasized that the fifth MCA reflects the enduring alliance between Manila and Washington and demonstrates both countries’ shared resolve to maintain peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
The latest exercise follows a series of increasingly frequent bilateral maritime operations this year. The fourth MCA was conducted from June 14 to 19, the third from May 26 to 30, the second from March 20 to 21, while the inaugural activity was held from January 25 to 26.
The continued series of joint exercises underscores the Philippines’ strategic defense partnership with the United States as both allies expand cooperation in response to evolving maritime security challenges in the West Philippine Sea.
ia/xf
