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Monday, Jan 05, 2026
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Philippines and US Conduct Joint Maritime Exercises in Disputed Waters
The exercises mark a significant cooperation between the Philippines and the US amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
MANILA, Philippines — For the first time, the Philippine Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard conducted joint maritime exercises, as confirmed by Manila's armed forces.
The drills took place in the South China Sea, specifically in the waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, on Tuesday.
This cooperative activity is part of broader military exercises that reflect the strengthening ties between the two allied nations in the context of regional maritime security.
The exercises involved the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Coast Guard, alongside the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
This event marks the second maritime cooperative activity in 2023 and the sixth since the initiation of these exercises by the Philippines and the US earlier this year.
Activities included communication drills, search and rescue operations, and tactical maneuvers.
The Philippine Coast Guard deployed two key vessels: the 97-meter BRP Melchora Aquino and the 44-meter BRP Malapascua.
General Romeo Brawner, chief of the Philippine military, described these joint exercises as essential for modernizing capabilities and enhancing defense partnerships.
The maritime area where these drills were held is subject to overlapping territorial claims, with significant disputes involving the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and notably China, which has asserted expansive claims over the region despite a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal rejecting such claims.
In a related event, the Philippine Navy simultaneously held a commissioning ceremony for two new warships, BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Albert Majini, in celebration of its 127th anniversary on May 20. BRP Miguel Malvar, a guided-missile frigate named after the last Filipino general to surrender during the Philippine-American War, features advanced combat systems designed for long-range operations.
Meanwhile, BRP Albert Majini is recognized as the first locally assembled missile-capable patrol vessel in the Philippines, named in honor of a Medal of Valor awardee.
The growing presence of both the US and Philippine military forces in the area underscores the evolving dynamics of security cooperation in response to regional challenges.
China's embassy in Manila has not yet publicly commented on the recent exercises.
The drills took place in the South China Sea, specifically in the waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, on Tuesday.
This cooperative activity is part of broader military exercises that reflect the strengthening ties between the two allied nations in the context of regional maritime security.
The exercises involved the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Coast Guard, alongside the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
This event marks the second maritime cooperative activity in 2023 and the sixth since the initiation of these exercises by the Philippines and the US earlier this year.
Activities included communication drills, search and rescue operations, and tactical maneuvers.
The Philippine Coast Guard deployed two key vessels: the 97-meter BRP Melchora Aquino and the 44-meter BRP Malapascua.
General Romeo Brawner, chief of the Philippine military, described these joint exercises as essential for modernizing capabilities and enhancing defense partnerships.
The maritime area where these drills were held is subject to overlapping territorial claims, with significant disputes involving the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and notably China, which has asserted expansive claims over the region despite a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal rejecting such claims.
In a related event, the Philippine Navy simultaneously held a commissioning ceremony for two new warships, BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Albert Majini, in celebration of its 127th anniversary on May 20. BRP Miguel Malvar, a guided-missile frigate named after the last Filipino general to surrender during the Philippine-American War, features advanced combat systems designed for long-range operations.
Meanwhile, BRP Albert Majini is recognized as the first locally assembled missile-capable patrol vessel in the Philippines, named in honor of a Medal of Valor awardee.
The growing presence of both the US and Philippine military forces in the area underscores the evolving dynamics of security cooperation in response to regional challenges.
China's embassy in Manila has not yet publicly commented on the recent exercises.
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