The Daily Tribune
Japan, Phl advance maritime cooperation
The Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) held a joint maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the South China Sea on June 14, 2025, reinforcing their defense partnership and commitment to maritime security.
The drills, which involved the Philippine Navy's missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar and Japan's destroyer JS Takanami, focused on anti-submarine warfare and cross-deck landing exercises.
This activity marks another milestone in their cooperation and reaffirms a shared vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
Both nations committed to advancing the FOIP vision as trusted maritime partners, emphasizing regional stability in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The exercise took place amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, underscoring efforts to deepen defense ties and protect maritime rights.
The activity also follows the ratification of their Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which allows for troop and equipment entry for military drills and disaster responses, strengthening coordination between the two nations.
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