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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP, US complete maritime exercises near Bajo de Masinloc as China claims own 'drills'

AFP, US complete maritime exercises near Bajo de Masinloc as China claims own 'drills'

Published May 31, 2026 05:11 pm

At A Glance

  • The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), along with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the United States Indo-Pacific Command carried out the bilateral MCA from May 26 to 30 in waters near Bajo de Masinloc.
The United States Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) is followed closely by the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) during fleet maneuvers in the vicinity waters of Bajo de Masinloc, West Philippine Sea as seen from BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15). The Armed Forces of the Philippines, along with PCG, and United States Indo-Pacific Command held a bilateral maritime cooperative activities near Bajo de Masinloc from May 26 to 30, 2026. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The United States Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) is followed closely by the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) during fleet maneuvers in the vicinity waters of Bajo de Masinloc, West Philippine Sea as seen from BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15). The Armed Forces of the Philippines, along with PCG, and United States Indo-Pacific Command held a bilateral maritime cooperative activities near Bajo de Masinloc from May 26 to 30, 2026. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) completed a five-day maritime cooperative activity (MCA) near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the military disclosed on Sunday, May 31, as China separately claimed it had conducted combat readiness patrols around the disputed shoal.
The AFP, along with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the US Indopacom carried out the bilateral MCA from May 26 to 30 in waters near Bajo de Masinloc.
Participating Philippine assets included the BRP Antonio Luna (FFG-15), an AW109 helicopter, FA-50 fighter aircraft, and a Sokol aircraft. Meanwhile, the PCG deployed the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) while US Indopacom sent the USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) and an MH-65 helicopter.
The allied forces conducted search and rescue exercises, visit-board-search-and-seizure drills, maritime law enforcement training, rotary wing deck landing qualifications, vertical replenishment operations, and communication exercises.
“The successful conduct of the recent MCA reflects the enduring commitment of the Philippines and the United States to deepen defense cooperation, strengthen maritime domain awareness, and uphold a rules-based international order,” the AFP said.
The activity marked the third Philippines-United States MCA this year, following similar exercises on January 25 to 26 and March 20.
Bajo de Masinloc, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, lies approximately 124 nautical miles west of Luzon, well within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
However, China refers to the shoal as Huangyan Dao and claims sovereignty over it, maintaining a regular presence of coast guard, military, and maritime militia vessels.
China claims holding drills; AFP dispels it
A day after the MCA concluded, Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times reported that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command had conducted combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Dao and surrounding areas.
“On May 31, the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao, as well as in the surrounding sea and air areas,” the command said in a statement posted on its WeChat account and cited by Global Times.
The command added that “since May, troops under the theater command have strengthened patrols and vigilance in the waters and airspace surrounding Huangyan Dao, effectively responding to various infringement and provocation activities, resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and security, and firmly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea region.”
The AFP, however, disputed reports that Chinese forces had carried out coordinated military exercises around the shoal.
“The AFP has monitored the reported presence of PLA-N Navy and CCG vessels in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc. Our coordinated maritime domain awareness confirms that their claims of coordinated military drills are completely unfounded," said retired admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS.
The military official said Philippine monitoring assets detected no signs of organized military activity despite the presence of Chinese vessels in the area.
“What our forces actually observed on the ground was merely a scattered presence of Chinese vessels operating independently. There was absolutely no monitored organized movement, tactical maneuvers, or joint formations involving their ships or aircraft that would constitute a military exercise,” Trinidad said.
The AFP said it would continue monitoring activities around Bajo de Masinloc, especially since Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. independently confirmed the presence of man-made structures on Bajo de Masinloc.
In September last year, China’s State Council announced the approval of the “Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve” at Bajo de Masinloc, a move condemned by Manila as an unlawful encroachment and a threat to sovereignty.
“The AFP remains vigilant and steadfast in monitoring our maritime domain as we advise the public against taking these propaganda narratives at face value,” Trinidad added.

Related Tags

AFP PCG Indopacom Bajo de Masinloc China West Philippine Sea
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