BAJO DE MASINLOC, WPS—The Philippines and United States forces tested their growing maritime interoperability and operational readiness during the 11th Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA), completed Monday within the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), conducted a series of complex maritime exercises from 25 to 26 January, in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

The drills focused on enhancing coordination across air, surface, and command-and-control domains. 

Activities included communication checks, flag-hoisting exercises, surface warfare at-sea drills, replenishment operations, division tactics, and officer-of-the-watch maneuvers, along with photo exercises, passing exercises, and low-pass flybys.

The USINDOPACOM deployed its Arleigh Burke–class (Flight IIA Restart) Aegis-guided missile destroyer, USS John Finn (DDG-113), along with a Seahawk helicopter.

On the AFP side, the Philippine Air Force conducted flight operations using two FA-50 fighter jets and two A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, while the Philippine Navy deployed the guided-missile frigate, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), supported by an AW109 helicopter. 

The PCG, for its part, deployed its second-largest and most modern offshore patrol vessel, the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), to join a significant exercise that would improve the country’s search and rescue operations, vertical replenishment, and other humanitarian efforts. 

This marked the third time the PCG participated in the Philippines–United States bilateral MCA, highlighting its expanding role in maritime security operations alongside the AFP.

Further, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Philippine Navy’s flagship, was still able to catch up and participate in the MCA on Monday, despite having been temporarily pulled out of the exercise to conduct a search and rescue operation. The ship had originally been part of the exercise but was redirected after the cargo vessel MV Devon Bay overturned.

On 23 January, BRP Jose Rizal was ordered to proceed immediately to an area approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc, Zambales, after receiving reports of the incident.

Sustained WPS presence

Capt. Jennifer Monforte, commanding officer of the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna, underscored the importance of sustaining a visible and consistent presence in Philippine waters.

“There is a need for the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to maintain our presence to deter those attempting to illegally occupy our maritime domain,” Monforte said in an interview with select reporters embedded aboard BRP Antonio Luna.

The latest MCA reflects continued efforts by Manila and Washington to strengthen defense cooperation amid evolving security challenges in the West Philippine Sea.

Chinese intruders

During the MCA, a Chinese naval vessel was once again observed shadowing participating forces at a distance of approximately 3.7 nautical miles.

At the outset of the exercise, a Jiangkai II–class frigate, identified as Xianning (500) of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N), was seen trailing Philippine Navy assets at a distance of about four nautical miles from the BRP Antonio Luna.

Despite the Chinese vessels’ presence, Monforte said the  Chinese vessels maintained a safe distance and did not interfere with the exercise. 

No radio challenges were issued, and there were no confrontations, as their presence was limited to visual sightings only, he added. 

“They kept their distance and did not distract from our exercise. They acted professionally and did not obstruct the conduct of the drills. They were positioned at a considerable distance,” he said. 

Monforte stressed that the BMCA proceeded as planned, underscoring the professionalism of the participating forces and the continued commitment of the Philippines and the United States to maritime cooperation and regional security.

Long-standing tensions

China has maintained effective control over Scarborough Shoal since 2012, enforcing what maritime experts describe as an informal “exclusion zone” that has significantly restricted access for Filipino fisherfolk.

Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea based on its so-called “10-dash line”, a claim invalidated by an international arbitral tribunal in 2016 following a case filed by the Philippines.

The ruling affirmed Manila’s sovereign rights within the EEZ and declared Scarborough Shoal a traditional fishing ground for fishermen from the Philippines, China, and Vietnam.

China has refused to recognize the decision and has continued to assert its presence in the area.