The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US INDOPACOM) completed the second iteration of their Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) held on Jan. 3 to 4 which was marked by a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The MCA included joint activities between the two militaries such as cross-deck maneuvers or personnel transfers which demonstrated the competencies and effectiveness of both naval forces, said AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.
The AFP deployed assets including BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), and AW109 helicopter while the USINDOCPACOM deployed its Carrier Strike Group-1, led by the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN70).
"The maritime cooperative activity included exercises that allowed for the exchange of best practices. This improved the proficiency of both armed forces in responding to potential threats in the maritime domain," he said.
It also emphasized the ability of the AFP and USINDOPACOM to work seamlessly together, highlighting their expertise and readiness, he added.
Aside from that, also part of the exercise was the conduct of a thorough communications check before the activity was concluded.
“The maritime cooperative activity reaffirms the strong bond and enduring partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command. This collaborative effort not only enhances the capabilities of both forces but also contributes to the overall security and stability of the region,” he added
The MCA, however, was marred by shadowing of Chinese ships, according to Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office.
"The shadowing happened during the activity. They did not stop following our vessels," he said.
Trinidad said the AFP does not know what message China intends to convey when they shadowed the Philippines and US vessels during the MCA, which is seen to be a regular activity since it was first held in November last year.
"We cannot predict what their intention was when they did that shadowing. But they were mentioning that is part of the conduct of their drills also in the South China Sea accoridngly. That's what they say," he noted.
In a separate statement, the china Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (China PLA) said it organized naval and air forces to conduct routine patrols in the South China Sea from Jan. 3 to 4, which coincided with the PH-US MCA.
"Troops in the theater are on high alert at all times, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, and are fully aware of any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea and create hot spots," it said.
China is claiming majority of the South China Sea, including parts within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Their claim which was initially based on their so-called nine-dash line has been debunked by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) which ruled in favor of the Philippines' claims in 2016.
China did not honor the ruling and instead further strengthened their claim in SCS which is now based on a 10-dash line.