The Philippines and the United States (US) completed their first joint sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) this year, a first in a series of military engagements between the two allied nations, as China maintains its presence off the coast of Zambales up north.
The Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) was held from Jan. 17 to 18.
“This MCA is a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead. This is a result of our shared commitment and mutual effort to safeguard our national interests, and secure a peaceful region,” AFP chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. said Sunday, Jan. 19.
The AFP deployed naval ships BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17), two FA50 fighter aircraft, and Philippine Air Force (PAF) search and rescue (SAR) assets.
Meanwhile, the Indopacom sent a formidable force from the US Navy bannered by the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VIN CSG), light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CG59), guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG104), an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, a V-22 Osprey helicopter, and two F-18 Hornet aircraft.
The AFP and Indopacom conducted a Communications Check Exercise (COMMEX), Division Tactics / Officer of the Watch (DIVTACS/OOW) maneuver, Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX), and Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Training (DACT) during the two-day activity.
“The U.S. and the Philippines are ironclad allies. As fellow maritime nations, we share the common goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific, assuring access to the seas,” he added.
This was the first MCA between Manila and Washington this year, and the fifth since the cooperative activity began last year.
The US Navy said that each subsequent MCA builds upon the last, enabling added levels of complexity and interoperability that advance and strengthen combined capabilities, tactics, techniques and procedures.
“Bilateral exercises in the region have grown in scale, scope and complexity, and we are proud to participate in combined operations that maintain stability in the region and reinforce deterrence,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
On Jan. 17, the AFP announced that it also conducted a unilateral exercise in the WPS to sustain and improve the operational proficiency of the Philippine Navy’s assets and personnel, particularly in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales where China’s “monster ship” is deployed.
P3B for WPS infra
Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the additional P3.03 billion that the government is spending this year will bolster infrastructure buildup in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the northeastern section of the disputed Spratly Archipelago.
“Congress has earmarked an additional P1.65 billion to develop the Pag-asa Island airport, plus P300 million for the (Pag-asa) shelter port,” Pimentel said.
“We have also allocated an extra P1.08 billion to construct the second phase of the Lawak Island shelter port,” he added.
The three projects are fully itemized in the P6.352-trillion 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) according to Pimentel, who previously served as chairperson of the House committee on strategic intelligence.
“The P3.03 billion in new appropriations is in addition to the combined P2.3 billion allocated by Congress for the Pag-asa airport and the Lawak shelter port in 2024,” the Mindanaoan said.
‘Monster’ ship by China
China continued to deploy China Coast Guard (CCG)-5901 or the monster ship at approximately 60 to 70 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales on Saturday, Jan. 18, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG ship BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) was still in the area to challenge the presence of the monster ship, said PCG spokesperson for WPS, Commo. Jay Tarriela.
“By confronting the presence of Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 5901, the PCG sends a clear message: the normalization of unlawful deployments will not be accepted or tolerated,” he said.
However, Tarriela admitted that the PCG could not give an ultimatum or deadline to the CCG to have the monster ship pulled out from the Philippine waters.
“[O]ur role is to monitor and actively challenge the illegal presence of the Chinese Coast Guard for them not to normalize such unlawful patrol within our EEZ [exclusive economic zone]. It is beyond our agency's mandate to impose deadlines or ultimatums on the coast guard of another state actor,” he said.
Filipinos united in defense of WPS
The National Security Council (NSC) was elated with the results of a recent OCTA Research survey showing 84 percent of Filipinos support the national government’s efforts to assert the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the face of China's growing assertiveness in the region.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said the affirmation from the people reflects a shared commitment to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“[I]t is evident that the public is not only informed but also united in supporting the country's efforts to defend its rights and interests in the West Philippine Sea,” he said in a statement Saturday, Jan. 18.
According to the “Tugon ng Masa” survey released last Friday, Metro Manila registered the highest approval rating at 90 percent, followed by Visayas (87 percent), Mindanao (83 percent), and Balance Luzon (81 percent).
Año attributed the overwhelming public support to the government’s efforts to keep its actions in full accordance with both domestic and international law.
“We will continue to emphasize sustainable fishing practices, marine conservation, and the protection of all economic activities in the West Philippine Sea, especially those of our fishermen,” he said. (With a report from Ellson Quismorio)