BRP Miguel Malvar successfully completes first official mission in West Philippine Sea

The Philippine flag is hoisted in the newly-commissioned BRP Miguel Malvar during the 7th PH-US Maritime Cooperative Activity held at the West Philippine Sea, June 4, 2025. Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Despite sightings of a Chinese Navy vessel, the seventh iteration of the Philippine-US Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) succeeded in their mission on Wednesday, June 4.

The MCA tested the interoperability of the systems of both countries through various maritime exercises.

"Pinakamahalagang aspect nito is we were able to test the capabilities to enhance our interoperability. Part of our activities today is to test the range of our sensor," said Capt. Paul Michael Hechanova, Commanding Officer of the BRP Miguel Malvar.

(The most important aspect is we were able to test the capabilities to enhance our interoperability.)

"I would say it's a successful activity. Though one day lang but we were able to meet our goals," he added.

The newly commissioned BRP Miguel Malvar was utilized for the mission which was held in the West Philippine Sea, off the coast of Zambales.

This is the first official mission of BRP Miguel Malvar, the newest addition to the Navy's fleet, having just been commissioned last May.

READ: Philippines welcomes new guided missile warship

US deployed their P8 Poseidon Aircraft, while other assets such as Philippine Coast Guard's BSP Cabra also joined the mission.

A Chinese PLA Navy Vessel was seen around 10 nautical miles from Malvar.

"We were able to detect sa radar natin, 8-10 nautical miles, however, wala naman ginawa unsusual activities so we kept tracking them," Hechanova said.

(We were able to detect in our radars, 8-10 nautical miles but they did not do unusual activities so we just kept on tracking them.)

"We were not hampered by their presence, ang focus natin is to maximize our training for maritime operations," he added.

(Our focus is to maximize our training for maritime operations.)

No dangerous maneuvers were done, and the mission concluded peacefully.

"We are protecting our vital interest, vital operations dito sa area, we are asserting our sovereign rights dito sa ating exclusive economic zone," he ended.

(We are protecting our vital interest, vital operations here in the area, we are asserting our sovereign rights in our exclusive economic zone.)