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Arab News
2 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Philippines, US hold joint maritime drills for seventh time
MANILA: 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. 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
2 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Philippines, U.S., hold joint maritime drills for seventh time
MANILA, June 5 (Reuters) - 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-metre guided missile frigate commissioned last month. It is one of two corvettes built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries ( opens new tab under the Philippines' military modernisation programme. 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.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Philippines, US hold joint maritime drills in South China Sea
The 'maritime cooperative activity' included communication drills and search-and-rescue scenarios. (EPA Images pic) MANILA : Coast guard vessels of the Philippines and the US have taken part for the first time in joint maritime exercises with naval and air force units in the contested South China Sea, Manila's armed forces said today. The exercises, held on Tuesday in waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, involved the Philippine navy, air force, and coast guard, alongside the US coast guard Cutter Stratton and a US navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The 'maritime cooperative activity', which was the second for the year and sixth overall since the allies launched the joint activities in 2023, included communication drills and search-and-rescue scenarios, the military said in a statement. 'Joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the armed forces of the Philippines' commitment to modernising its capabilities and strengthening defence partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests,' AFP chief Romeo Brawner said. Relations between the Philippines and China have been strained by disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. China claims most of the strategic waterway despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that found Beijing's claims have no basis under international law. China does not recognise the decision.
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Philippines, US Hold Joint Maritime Drills in South China Sea
Coast Guard vessels of the Philippines and the United States have taken part for the first time in joint maritime exercises with naval and air force units in the contested South China Sea, Manila's armed forces said on Wednesday. The exercises, held on Tuesday in waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, involved the Philippine Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, alongside the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The "maritime cooperative activity," which was the second for the year and sixth overall since the allies launched the joint activities in 2023, included communication drills and search-and-rescue scenarios, the military said in a statement. "Joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the Armed Forces of the Philippines' commitment to modernizing its capabilities and strengthening defense partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests," AFP Chief Romeo Brawner said. Relations between the Philippines and China have been strained by disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. China claims most of the strategic waterway despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that found Beijing's claims have no basis under international law. China does not recognize the decision.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Philippines, US coast guards join military drills in South China Sea
MANILA, May 21 — The Philippine and US coast guards participated for the first time in joint military drills, Manila's armed forces said today, joining broader exercises held by the two allies in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire disputed waterway, through which more than 60 per cent of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit. The 'maritime cooperative activity' was held yesterday in waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro in the western Philippines. The two countries' coast guards have held joint exercises before, but never as part of combined military drills which Manila's armed forces said reflected a 'growing whole-of-nation approach to maritime cooperation'. The Philippine coast guard deployed its 97m ship BRP Melchora Aquino and 44m ship BRP Malapascua while the US coast guard used the cutter Stratton, the Philippine military said in the statement. The coast guard vessels joined Philippine navy and air force assets and US navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in a series of exercises including communication checks, search and rescue and division tactics. 'As the Philippines continues to navigate evolving maritime challenges, joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the (Philippine military's) commitment to modernising its capabilities and strengthening defence partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests,' Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner said. China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. — AFP
