The guided missile destroyer USS Benfold, Philippine Navy frigate BRP Jose Rizal, the Royal Australian Navy air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Akizuki (DD 115), participate in a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity exercise in the South China Sea, on February 5, 2025. Photo MC2 Monica Walker/US 7th Fleet handout photo

MANILA — Three People’s Liberation Army Navy ships, one oceanographic surveillance ship, and one helicopter were monitored from a distance during the joint maritime activity of the Philippines, the United States and Canada in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, February 12. 

Following the successful completion of the 6th multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) last week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines again joined the defense forces of the US and Canada in “a continued effort to enhance regional security.”

“Safety of participating countries during the conduct of the exercise is important. Established and agreed upon protocols were observed and all have their respective ROEs [rules of engagement] for any adverse situation,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement.

The PLA Navy vessels and other assets did not interfere with the MMCA.

“Our exercises proceeded as planned,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a virtual interview on Thursday.

During the whole day activity, the AFP deployed the BRP Andres Bonifacio, Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft, and search and rescue assets of the Philippine Air Force.

Australia, Canada, US and Philippines hold exercise in West PH Sea

Canada deployed the HMCS Ottawa, while the US was involved in the planning, pre-sail conference and monitoring of the activity. 

According to the AFP, the 7th MMCA featured operational exercises focused on enhancing cooperation and interoperability between Manila and Canberra, which include communication check exercise, division tactics, photo exercise, and expandable mobile anti-submarine training target exercise. 

“The multilateral exercise underscores the critical role of collaboration in ensuring peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. It also reinforces the bonds between partner nations dedicated to mutual prosperity and the maintenance of a rules-based international order, as outlined in the UNCLOS,” the military noted.

Padilla also stressed that it is the Philippines’ right to conduct exercises with its ally and partner nations in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

The AFP official made the statement after Tian Junli, spokesperson of China’s Southern Theater Command, pointed out that the joint patrols are an “attempt of the Philippines to cover up, through military provocations and media hype, its illegal infringement on China’s maritime rights.”

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Beijing also claimed that Manila undermines the peace and stability in the South China Sea.

“This is anchored on international laws. The arbitral ruling ruled in favor of the Philippines,” Padilla said. “Itong mga kasama natin dito ay well-meaning nations and like-minded nations na iisa ang goal natin: to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.” 

JOINT SAILS WITH ITALY, FRANCE, UK

The Philippines is eyeing joint sails with Italy, France and the United Kingdom, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.

“We are looking forward to having more of this with other countries such as Italy, UK and France,” Brawner told reporters on the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines forum in Taguig City on Wednesday. 

“Dati, wala tayong joint sails with these countries, pero unti-unti, ang ibang bansa, lalo sa Europe, ay nagkakaroon ng interest sa ating bansa. This is a good sign because it means we share interests and we have common objectives,” he added.