Warships from 5 navies hold maritime drills in West Philippine Sea

The Philippines, United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada deployed 11 warships for a multinational maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as part of the Balikatan Exercises, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Thursday.

In a statement, the AFP said the Multinational Maritime Event (MME), started April 20 and set to finish on May 1, aims to enhance interoperability and operational readiness among partner nations.

Among the Philippine assets deployed were the new guided missile frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Antonio Luna, along with AW159 and AW109 helicopters. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also deployed the patrol vessel BRP Cape San Agustin.

Participating allied vessels included the United States Navy dock landing ship USS Ashland and the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Midgett; the guided missile destroyer JS Ikazuchi, tank landing ship JS Shimokita, and the helicopter destroyer JS Ise from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force; the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba; as well as the frigate HMCS Charlottetown and the supply ship MV Asterix of the Royal Canadian Navy.

The exercise featured a range of coordinated maritime activities that include:

• communication checks
• photo exercises (PHOTOEX)
• anti-submarine warfare drills (CASEX)
• gunnery exercises (GUNNEX)
• air defense exercises through integrated air and missile defense (ADEX IAMD)
• deck landing qualifications (DLQ)
• search and rescue exercises (SAREX)
• maritime cooperative activities (MCA)
• replenishment at sea (RAS)

According to the AFP, the maritime event underscores the shared commitment of the Philippines and its allies to strengthen regional security and stability.

“The AFP continues to advance its capability to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime interests while upholding a rules-based international order,” the Philippine military said.

Chinese vessels were observed “shadowing” the ongoing maritime exercises, Balikatan spokesperson for the Philippines Colonel Dennis Hernandez told reporters.

“Pero they were not in close proximity with the ships conducting the maritime event,” he said.

According to Hernandez, the Chinese vessels did not perform any dangerous maneuvers and were merely observing from a distance.

Hernandez said the presence of the Chinese ships was “irrelevant,” noting that it had no impact on the ongoing activities in the WPS. —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA News