AFP says Chinese ship monitored during PH–US drills in WPS
Rescue of Filipino seafarers by China Coast Guard downplayed as 'expected duty'
Published Jan 27, 2026 03:55 pm
Naval vessels sail in formation during the 11th Philippines–United States Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from January. 25 to 26, 2026, showcasing combined naval capability, operational interoperability, and the collective resolve of allied forces to safeguard maritime security. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, that a Chinese naval vessel was monitored during a recent AFP–United States maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS, said a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) ship was detected within the exercise area during the 11th MCA between the AFP and the US Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) held in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) from Jan. 25 to 26.
The exercise was also the first MCA between the two countries for this year.
“We had a bilateral MCA with the US Navy. There was one monitored PLA Navy within the exercise box but it did not conduct any aggressive or coercive action,” Trinidad said.
Despite its “illegal presence," Trinidad said the Chinese ship had no impact on the drills.
“The presence of the PLA Navy did not affect all the activities of the bilateral MCA,” he added.
During the exercise, the AFP deployed Philippine Navy (PN) ship BRP Antonio Luna, a Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 fighter jet, an A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, and an AW109 helicopter.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also mobilized BRP Gabriela Silang while the US Indopacom fielded the Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer USS John Finn and a multi-mission maritime helicopter MH-60R Seahawk.
The participating units carried out combined naval and air operations including replenishment at sea drills, surface warfare exercises, night steaming, photo exercises, and passing exercises.
The AFP said the activity boosted interoperability between the AFP and United States, and reinforced a shared commitment to a rules-based international order.
Rescue mission
Meanwhile, Trinidad also addressed questions on the rescue of Filipino crew members of MV Devon Bay by the China Coast Guard (CCG).
Seventeen crew members of MV Devon Bay, a Singaporean-flagged general cargo vessel loaded with iron ore that sank off Agno Bay in Pangasinan near Bajo de Masinloc on Jan. 23, were rescued by a passing CCG vessel. Two of the crew later died.
“First of all, we are happy that our countrymen are safe. Actions like this are what are expected of responsible coast guards around the world, regardless of nationality,” Trinidad said.
He said rendering assistance at sea is a basic obligation by coast guards around the world.
“This is the job of coast guards, to help and to implement safety of life at sea, not to conduct coercive and aggressive actions,” he said.
However, Trinidad warned against portraying the rescue as something exceptional as he took swipe at the CCG for having a history of harassing Filipinos and trespassing into the WPS.
Asked if the AFP would issue a statement of gratitude to China, Trinidad pushed back as he said that “one action of a coast guard to save life at sea will not erase the hundreds of coercive and aggressive actions done in the past.”
Trinidad said the CCG vessel involved in the rescue was part of a Chinese flotilla illegally operating in Philippine waters.
“We do not expect any further announcements that would highlight such rescue because it is expected especially if the one conducting the rescue has a past record of coercive and aggressive actions. Otherwise, highlighting such activities would lose the essence of the rescue and may even become mere propaganda,” he noted.