ABOARD BRP JOSE RIZAL, WPS — The Philippines, United States (US), and Japan have "successfully" completed their joint military drills east of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on 28 March, despite the illegal presence of a Chinese gray ship.

The Chinese vessel attempted to move closer to the exercise area, appearing to assert force against the Filipino and American vessels engaged in a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) alongside the Japanese warship.

The Philippine Navy identified the Chinese warship as a Type 054A Jiangkai II-Class missile frigate with bow number 574, which kept loitering from a distance since early morning during the execution of the rotary flight operation and personnel exchange exercise between the US Navy and the Philippine Navy.

“Before our arrival at the rendezvous point, we were able to detect the presence of a Chinese frigate and we immediately challenged them the moment we detected them,” Commander Irvin Ian Robles, BRP Jose Rizal skipper, told reporters aboard the Philippines’ first naval frigate.

At first, the Chinese frigate was unresponsive when challenged by the Philippine Navy.

“Initially, they did not respond. But, in the end, with our constant challenge, they responded that they are just conducting normal navigation,” Robles said.

Around midday, the Japanese warship, JS Noshiro, joined the US and Philippine forces for a Division Tactics exercise. It was during this time that the Chinese frigate attempted to approach the MMCA participating vessels.

Robles noted that the Chinese warship was at “a distance that is actually far away enough, in order for them not to interfere with the exercise.”

However, it attempted to move closer to the exercise area.

“There was a time around mid-noon when they actually attempted to maneuver closely, but again we challenged them. And we asked their intent that they alter their course,” Robles shared.

“We informed them that they are in Philippine waters.”

Robles said the Chinese vessel eventually altered its course following the repeated radio challenges by the Philippine Navy.

“They responded that they are just conducting normal navigation,” he added.

The Philippines’ first guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), has been maintaining a close watch against China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels monitored off Bajo de Masinloc through regular maritime and sovereignty patrols.

The shoal has been constantly subjected to China's ongoing trespassing activities.

Last month, the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) confirmed the presence of three PLAN vessels illegally navigating the area.

In January, the China Coast Guard's largest vessel, 5901, also referred to as The Monster ship, unlawfully entered the country’s exclusive economic zone and maintained an average distance of 60 to 70 nautical miles from the Philippine coastline for several days.

The Philippine vessels confronted the CCG’s 165-meter vessel with persistent radio challenges.

Meanwhile, the most recent MMCA was the eighth of its kind.

Throughout the daylong maneuvers for MMCA, the BRP Jose Rizal, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, USS Shoup (DDG 86), and the Japanese multi-mission frigate, JS Noshiro (FFM-3), sailed in formation as part of division tactics maneuvers.

The warships from the three nations also maintained radio communication as part of the communication check exercise.

A small group of American sailors from the USS Shoup deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to transfer to the BRP Jose Rizal during the personnel exchange exercise.

The same RHIB was used to transfer the Filipino sailors to the USS Shoup for discussions with their American counterparts.

The US multi-mission naval helicopter MH60-R and maritime patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon, as well as the Philippines’ AgustaWestland AW109 helicopter and C90 aircraft, circled overboard for maritime awareness domain (MDA), contact reporting, and photo exercises.

These maritime drills aimed to enhance interoperability and strengthen defense ties among the three participating nations.

Robles sees the Philippines as "now at par with other nations" in showcasing its modern naval assets, which he noted as relevant to the country’s push for stronger territorial defense.

“In this kind of exercise, we are trying to test out the capabilities na meron tayo ngayon (that we have now), even our new platforms. And I think we are at par with other countries now that we have modern platforms. And second, we were able to interoperate with them,” he said.

Robles emphasized the significance of continuous improvement of the country’s interoperability capabilities.

“Meaning to say, the ability to interoperate with like-minded countries is very important because it will show that we are in line with a rules-based order, and we follow freedom of navigation,” he said.

On the other hand, Lt. Alexander Horvath, US Navy Air Detachment Officer of the USS Shoup, said the recently concluded MMCA showcased his country’s allyship with the Philippines and Japan.

“We are strong allies and we support each other,” he said.

“We are really proud to support our allies in Indo-Pacific and it goes so far to build those relationships and get us closer to our goal, which is a free and open Indo-Pacific for all of us.”

AFP Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said such exercises are designed to “improve interoperability” and boost joint capabilities among the participating forces.

As the MMCA continues, Brawner also highlighted the “vital improvements” in the military’s coordination, tactics, and shared maritime awareness.

“Every iteration strengthens our capacity to respond to maritime security challenges while reinforcing our collective ability to safeguard our national interests,” said Brawner.