AFP conducts 8th multilateral maritime activity in WPS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines joined the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for another iteration of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) conducted in the West Philippine Sea from 14 to 15 November 2025, as part of efforts to strengthen regional unity and cooperation.

The MMCA held this month is the eighth iteration this year and the 13th overall since its inception in April 2024.

The AFP deployed BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) and an AW159 helicopter. USINDOPACOM participated through the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, composed of the USS Nimitz (CVN68), USS Wayne Meyer (DDG108), USS Gridley (DDG101) and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG123). The JMSDF joined with JS Akebono (DD108) and an SH-60K Seahawk helicopter.

The Philippine Coast Guard joined the activity by deploying BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) and BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV 4408), patrol vessels that play a role in enhancing maritime domain awareness in the West Philippine Sea.

The activity featured coordinated maritime and aerial operations, including rendezvous time, communication check exercise, maritime domain awareness contact reporting, resupply-at-sea approach, anti-submarine warfare exercise, cross-deck landing exercise, division tactics/Officer of the Watch maneuver with photo exercise, and a final exercise.

According to the AFP, the continuous MMCA series reflects its commitment to safeguard the nation’s sovereign rights and strengthen defensive readiness alongside partner countries.

The AFP added that these engagements highlight the shared commitment of participating nations to enhance interoperability, strengthen deterrence and uphold freedom of navigation under a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.