MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The Philippines, alongside the militaries of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, began joint maritime drills on Saturday within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, as confirmed by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
In his statement, Brawner described the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity as involving both naval and air force units from the participating nations, aimed at strengthening regional and international cooperation to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Although Brawner did not specify the exact units involved, the Australian defense ministry confirmed that the HMAS Sydney and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft were part of the exercise, emphasizing improved cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces.
The Philippines has ramped up its training and defense collaborations with foreign partners, signing an agreement in July to allow reciprocal access between Japanese and Filipino troops. This comes in response to China’s increasingly assertive actions in the West Philippine Sea.
China has disregarded a 2016 arbitral ruling that nullified its broad claims over the South China Sea, blaming tensions in the region on the Philippines, the US, and other Western nations.
The nations involved in the multilateral exercises have voiced concerns over China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, including aggressive maneuvers, the use of water cannons, and incidents involving Chinese ships ramming Philippine Coast Guard vessels.
Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard was monitoring the presence of a Chinese research vessel and six maritime militia escorts in the West Philippine Sea near Palawan, which an American analyst labeled a “survey in force.”
Chinese ships had also swarmed the BRP Teresa Magbanua, a Coast Guard patrol vessel stationed at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal since April, eventually cutting off supplies and forcing its return to Palawan for repairs and medical aid for personnel.
China’s presence in the West Philippine Sea has significantly impacted Filipino fisherfolk, particularly those operating near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), a traditional fishing ground that China has increasingly restricted.
Brawner assured that the ongoing activity would comply with international law and respect the rights of other states, underscoring the participants’ commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight.
Meanwhile, the national democratic activist movement, which has also denounced China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, cautioned against allowing further foreign military presence in the Philippines. They warned that the region’s militarization could draw the Philippines into the geopolitical tensions between China and the US and its allies. The group advocates for stronger domestic defense, diplomatic strategies, and international backing for the 2016 ruling.
On Saturday, China also announced its own naval exercises around Scarborough Shoal, asserting its “indisputable sovereignty” over the area.
According to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, “naval and air forces conducted routine reconnaissance, early warning, and patrol exercises near China’s Huangyan Island” and vowed to “resolutely defend national sovereign security and maritime rights” while maintaining peace in the region.