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CHINESE NAVY ship observed monitoring the multilateral maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea, officials said.Photo courtesy of Armed Forces of the Philippines.
A Chinese Navy vessel monitored this week’s multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea involving the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed.
Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship, Bow Number 174, was observed near the exercise area.
“Yes, we monitored the illegal presence of a PLA Navy with Bow Number 174 in the general vicinity of the exercise area,” Trinidad said, adding that the Chinese vessel did not interfere with the drills but was seen within Philippine waters near participating ships.
The 15th MMCA was conducted from February 23 to 26 and was “completed safely and successfully,” Trinidad said.
“The exercise proceeded as planned. All participating units maintained professionalism, situational awareness, and adherence to international maritime rules,” he added.
BRP Antonio Luna commanding officer Capt. Jennifer Monforte said there were no radio exchanges between Philippine and Chinese forces, but described the presence of the Chinese vessel as illegal.
“Yung presence nila is illegal kasi nasa loob sila ng EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) ng Philippines at sumunod sila hanggang Batanes,” Monforte said.
She stressed that the drills were conducted entirely within Philippine waters and should not be seen as a provocation.
“Nasa loob naman tayo ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas at hindi naman maritime domain ng ibang bansa, so hindi ito provocation,” she said.
U.S. Navy Capt. Dave Huljack, Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15, said on the U.S. Navy website that the MMCA demonstrates operational cooperation among the Philippine Navy, the U.S. Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The exercises extended to waters near the Bashi Channel separating the Philippines and Taiwan, marking the first time the drills reached northern Batanes.
Two Philippine FA-50 aircraft flew alongside a U.S. P-8 Poseidon and Japan’s P-3 Orion during a training flight on February 24. The USS Dewey sailed with BRP Antonio Luna toward Basco, Batanes, while the BRP Gabriela Silang joined tactical maneuvers with other participating ships.
Monforte said the four-day MMCA enhanced interoperability and strategic coordination among the Philippines, the United States, and Japan.
“It is successful if we base it on the objective of the exercise, which is enhancement of interoperability,” she said.