Latest news with #BRPMiguelMalvar
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
Chinese warships approach PH-US exercise off Zambales
The Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Suluan sail alongside the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur during a joint exercise off the Zambales as seen from the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Miguel Malvar on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. GMA INTEGRATED NEWS Chinese warships approached and issued a radio challenge to Philippine vessels that were conducting joint exercises with the United States Navy off the Zambales coast. According to Chino Gaston's Wednesday report on '24 Oras,' the ships that took part in the exercise were the BRP Miguel Malvar, the Philippine Navy's newest frigate purchased from South Korea, the US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Suluan. Meanwhile, the People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Jiangkai class frigate with bow number 551 and Jiangdao Corvette with bow number 646 were observed shadowing the joint exercise. The Chinese warships were accompanied by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel with bow number 4203. According to the Philippine Navy, the Chinese warships approached BRP Malvar to a distance of three to four nautical miles, but these later came nearer to the smaller PCG vessels. The Chinese also conducted a radio challenge but did not repeat it. ''Yung activity natin with the Philippine Coast Guard is very important because every time na mag-operate ang Coast Guard natin, we always support 'yong law enforcement ng Coast Guard,' said Lieutenant Commander Bryan Magura, the operations officer of the Malvar. (Our activity with the PCG is very important because we always support the Coast Guard every time they conduct their law enforcement activities.) 'So we are here to show that the coordination and interoperability with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, to include 'yung partner nations natin, is enhanced and improved (to include our partner nations in enhancing and improving our operations),' he added. The division tactics exercise began at around 1 p.m. where the training focused on various sailing formations. In all maneuvers, the two PCG ships were in the middle of the formation. From the Malvar's flight deck, its Agusta Westland helicopter took off to observe from the sky and take photos. Two PCG vessels participated in the multilateral cooperative activity along with the Philippine and US navies in preparation for future missions where they need to be accompanied by warships. This is the eighth maritime multilateral cooperative activity (MCA) the Philippines has had with allied countries. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, these military exercises will continue, along with adding more Philippine Navy ships and more allied countries that support the Philippines' defense of its exclusive economic zone — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
The Star
16-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Philippines, Japan hold joint drills after reciprocal access agreement
MANILA: The Philippines and Japan conducted joint maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend, marking one of their first major joint activities after Japan's Diet ratified early this month the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) between the two countries. At about the same time, China's military held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea, according to Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army-Navy. The drills with Japan, called 'maritime cooperative activity (MCA),' were held on Saturday (June 14) within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and involved the Philippine Navy's newest frigate BRP Miguel Malvar and guided-missile destroyer JS Takanami (DD-110) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). 'More than a maritime drill, the MCA underscored the operationalisation of the RAA—an accord that lays the groundwork for increased joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response initiatives between the AFP and JMSDF,' the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. The drills featured antisubmarine warfare exercises, cross-deck exercises, communication check exercise, division tactics and officer of the watch manoeuvres, photo exercises and a finish exercise. Also joining the drills were the AgustaWestland 159 antisubmarine helicopter, C-208 ISR aircraft of the Philippine Air Force, search and rescue units, and Japan's SH-60K Seahawk. A video from the AFP showed the popular Japanese anime 'Gundam' playing in the background as sailors from the BRP Miguel Malvar manned the rails while sailing with JS Takanami nearby. 'With the RAA now in effect, our coordination with Japan will only grow stronger and more responsive to the complex demands of our shared security environment,' AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. was quoted as saying. The West Philippine Sea is Manila's EEZ in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely. Tokyo and Beijing have also repeatedly faced off around uninhabited Japanese-administered islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing calls the Diaoyu. Tokyo's security cooperation with Manila is expected to get a boost in the coming years following Japan's ratification of the RAA, which the Philippine Senate approved in December last year. Tian, meanwhile, criticised the Philippines for courting countries outside the region to organise 'joint patrols' and 'raised security risks' in the region. 'The theatre command forces remain on high alert, resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and maritime rights,' he said in a statement on Sunday. He added that 'all military activities that seek to stir up trouble in the South China Sea or create flashpoints are fully under control.' The Philippine Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime drills in the South China Sea for a seventh time earlier this month. Tensions continue to run high between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Chinese Warships Shadow US Allies in Contested Waters
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan and the Philippines—both treaty allies of the United States—have conducted a joint naval exercise in the contested South China Sea, where they were shadowed by Chinese warships. The Chinese military confirmed that it conducted sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, in response to the Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) organized by the U.S. allies. Why It Matters China, the Philippines, and other regional nations maintain overlapping sovereignty claims in the energy-rich South China Sea. Confrontations and clashes between the navies and coast guards of rival claimants are an ongoing problem. The Philippines, which has a mutual defense treaty with the U.S., frequently conducts drills with allies to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea. The latest joint exercise follows Japan's ratification of an agreement allowing reciprocal military visits with the Philippines. What To Know The MCA was conducted on Saturday in South China Sea waters west of Luzon, the Philippines' main island, according to Japan's Kyodo News. The drill involved the Japanese destroyer JS Takanami and the Philippine frigate BRP Miguel Malvar. A pair of Chinese naval vessels monitored the allied warships in nearby waters, according to imagery from the Philippines' ABS-CBN News. The Chinese navy kept its distance and did not challenge the exercise, which focused on anti-submarine warfare, Kyodo News reported. LOOK: Two Chinese PLA Navy vessels were spotted around the exercise zone of the MCA just minutes after the event started. The Chinese vessels shadowed both the BRP Miguel Malvar and the Japanese destroyer JS Takanami during the maritime drills. | via @manahan_job — ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) June 14, 2025 The bilateral war game demonstrated what the Armed Forces of the Philippines described as "joint capability in a wide array of naval operations," adding that cooperation with Japan will be more responsive to the complex demands of their shared security environment. The Joint Staff of Japan's Defense Ministry said in a statement that Tokyo and Manila are committed to upholding the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as respect for maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Meanwhile, the Chinese military's Southern Theater Command, which focuses on the South China Sea, accused the Philippines of raising security risks in the region by conducting joint patrols with so-called non-regional countries—though it did not specifically mention Japan. The Chinese military command claimed that its units remain on high alert to "resolutely safeguard" the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea. A Philippine naval helicopter hovers above the Japanese destroyer JS Takanami during a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea on June 14, 2025. A Philippine naval helicopter hovers above the Japanese destroyer JS Takanami during a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea on June 14, 2025. Kyodo via AP Images What People Are Saying General Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said in a statement on Sunday: "This cooperative activity is more than a display of maritime capability—it is a manifestation of our enduring commitment to uphold peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific." The Joint Staff of Japan's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday: "The activity was conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the freedom of navigation and the rights and interests of other states." Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said in a statement on Sunday: "Any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea and create hotspots are all under control." What Happens Next Both the Philippines and China are expected to maintain their military presence in the South China Sea. It remains to be seen whether other U.S. allies will conduct drills in the region.
GMA Network
15-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH, Japan forces hold 2nd Maritime Cooperative Activity in WPS
The navies of the Philippines and Japan over the weekend held the second bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA), following the ratification of Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that the two countries inked in July 2024. The MCA included communication checks, anti-submarine warfare, cross-deck exercises, division tactics and officer of the watch maneuvers (DIVTACS/OOW), photo exercises, and a Finish exercise (FINEX) between the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Participating in the recent MCA were the guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar, its assigned AW159 anti-submarine helicopter, a PAF C-208 ISR aircraft, and search and rescue units. Japan deployed the destroyer JS Takanami and its embarked SH-60K Seahawk helicopter. 'This cooperative activity is more than a display of maritime capability — it is a manifestation of our enduring commitment to uphold peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific,' Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement on Sunday. 'With the RAA now in effect, our coordination with Japan will only grow stronger and more responsive to the complex demands of our shared environment,' he added. The RAA was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbero Teodoro Jr. last July, with aims to heighten defense cooperation between the two countries in the middle of escalating tensions in the South China Sea. To recall, leaders of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States in April 2024 released a Joint Vision Statement indicating the possibility of more combined naval training and exercises, with Manila set to receive support for its defense modernization priorities. Prior to this, naval and air forces of the three countries and Australia conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea, in line with their commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Philippines, US, hold joint maritime drills for seventh time
The Philippines and United States militaries have sailed together in the South China Sea for a seventh time to boost interoperability between the two sides, Manila's armed forces said on Thursday. The exercises, held on Wednesday in waters off the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Zambales and away from contested features, included joint operations near shorelines as well as fire support. "The MCA (maritime cooperative activity) is a demonstration of both nations' resolve to deepen cooperation and enhance interoperability in line with international law," the Philippine armed forces said in a statement. The joint sail also showcased the Philippine vessel Miguel Malvar, a 118-meter guided missile frigate commissioned last month. It is one of two corvettes built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries under the Philippines' military modernization program. BRP Miguel Malvar (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines) Military engagements between the treaty allies have soared under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over nearly all the South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. — Reuters
