BAJO DE MASINLOC — 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 improving coordination across air, sea, and command-and-control operations.

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 carried out flight operations with 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), accompanied by an AW109 helicopter.

The PCG, meanwhile, deployed its second-largest and most advanced offshore patrol vessel, the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), to participate in the exercises, enhancing the country’s search and rescue capabilities, vertical replenishment operations and other humanitarian missions. 

This marked the third time the PCG joined the Philippines-US bilateral MCA, underscoring its growing significance in joint maritime security operations with the AFP.

Additionally, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Philippine Navy’s flagship, managed to rejoin the MCA on Monday despite being temporarily pulled out earlier to conduct a search and rescue operation. The vessel had been slated to join the exercises but was temporarily reassigned to respond to the capsizing of the cargo ship MV Devon Bay.

On 23 January, BRP Jose Rizal was dispatched to a location roughly 55 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc, Zambales, in response to 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.