PH, 4 allies conclude naval exercise in West Philippine Sea

The Philippines, alongside Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, concluded their fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea on September 28, 2024.

This joint naval exercise aimed to bolster regional cooperation and support a free and open Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the five nations' mutual pledge to ensure the uninterrupted movement of ships or aircraft passing through the broader South China Sea.

The MMCA took place within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, under the operational area of the Northern Luzon Command.

New Zealand's participation for the first time added a new dimension to the collaborative efforts.

Assets participating included the BRP Antonio Luna, BRP Emilio Jacinto, and one AW109 helicopter from the Philippine Navy; HMAS Sydney, P-8 Poseidon aircraft, and one helicopter from Australia; JS Sazanami from Japan; HMNZS Aotearoa from New Zealand; and USS Howard and two helicopters from the US.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated that the activity underscores shared commitments to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea, and respect for maritime rights under international law, as reflected in UNCLOS.