Philippine naval ships conduct joint exercises with US and Japan in West Philippine Sea

Philippine naval ships conducted maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) with both U.S. and Japanese navies in the West Philippine Sea this week.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz and USS Mobile participated in joint exercises to enhance communication and operational coordination between the two navies.

On Friday, the first bilateral MCA took place between the Philippines and Japan with the deployment of the BRP Jose Rizal and JS Sazanami, focusing on tactical maneuvering, communications, and photographic exercises.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. highlighted the importance of these joint exercises in strengthening naval capabilities and regional stability.

The Philippine-Japan MCA also marked a milestone in both countries' efforts to deter China's growing aggression in the region independent of their ties with the United States, reinforcing strong mutual commitments towards peace and security.

China criticized the Philippines and Japan for signing a landmark troop access agreement that allows military deployment on each other's soil, calling it 'small circles' that would encourage confrontation.