The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Indo-Pacific Command (US INDOPACOM) conducted the third Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) on Friday, Feb. 9, which was marked by a joint patrol operation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid heating tension with China.

AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that the activity reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to bolster regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. 

“The continuous maritime cooperative activity manifests the enduring partnership between the Philippines and the U.S. militaries. It demonstrates our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and fosters closer cooperation towards further enhancing our maritime capabilities,” Brawner noted.

During the activity, the Philippine Navy deployed patrol ship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15) and Agusta Westland (AW) 109 helicopter (NH434) to survey the WPS together with the US Navy’s USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and Sikorsky MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter.

They participated in advanced planning and maritime communication operations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as part of the MCA. Aside from that, the Filipino and American troops also held communication exercise, photo exercise, and division tactics or Officer of the Watch Maneuver.

Brawner said the exercises were designed to improve the coordination and cooperation between the two forces in various maritime scenarios.

The recent MCA was the third iteration between the AFP and US INDOPACOM as both forces agreed to continuously enhance their interoperability through the conduct of maritime security and maritime domain awareness operations.

The first MCA was held from Nov. 21 to 23, 2023 while the second one was last Jan. 3 to 4 this year.

The latest MCA coincided with the recent warning issued to “relevant parties in the Philippines” by China not to “play with fire” after Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. directed the AFP to fortify its territorial defense capabilities in the northern frontier close to Taiwan, a self-ruled island being claimed by Beijing.

Teodoro, Brawner and other ranking military officials visited critical facilities across Batanes and Cagayan last Feb. 6 including the naval detachments in Basco and Mavulis Island in Itbayat, the Itbayat Airport, the under-construction Naval Forward Operating Base Mahatao in Batan Island, and Port Irene in Sta. Ana town.

During the visit, Teodoro ordered Brawner to increase the military’s operational tempo as he called for the development of more structures in the northernmost region of the Philippines, which is approximately 200 kilometers from Taiwan.

Asked about the matter, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that China and the Philippines “are neighbors across the sea” with a long history of “friendly exchanges” in their bilateral relations.

Wang said that the Taiwan question “is at the heart of China’s core interests and is a red line and bottom line that must not be crossed.”

He added: “Relevant parties in the Philippines need to understand it clearly, tread carefully and don’t play with fire on this question to avoid being manipulated and eventually hurt.”