The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has carried out a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) with counterparts from the United States (US) and Australia within the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

AFP Public Affairs Col. Xerxes Trinidad told reporters on Wednesday that the 9th MMCA featured a series of integrated operations aimed at improving tactical coordination and combined operational capabilities among the three participating nations.

These included a Communications Check Exercise (COMMEX), rotary flight operations/vertical replenishment, Division Tactics (DIVTACS), and a Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX).

The participating nations also conducted air patrols and anti-submarine warfare (ASW), demonstrating multi-domain coordination and shared maritime security objectives.

Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized the strategic importance of the activity.

“The 9th MMCA demonstrates the growing synergy among like-minded partners in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Brawner said the multilateral engagement reaffirms the AFP's commitment to fostering international cooperation, maintaining maritime security, and safeguarding Philippine sovereignty under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“These exercises are vital in strengthening our collective defense posture and operational readiness,” he added.