PCG, USCG conduct 6th Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) conducted their 6th Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the strategic waters of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro.

This exercise marks the first time Philippine and US coast guard vessels have been deployed together in such an activity, emphasizing a growing whole-of-nation approach to maritime cooperation.

Naval and air units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Indo-Pacific Command participated, including the Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Domingo Deluana, Philippine Air Force's Super Tucano and Sokol helicopters, and the PCG's BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Malapascua.

The US deployed the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and a US Navy P-8A "Poseidon" maritime patrol aircraft.

The MCA between the Philippine and US military units started in November 2023.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated that these MCAs are important in strengthening maritime defense and reaffirm the AFP's commitment to modernizing its capabilities and strengthening defense partnerships.