Philippines, US, Japan hold joint drills

Manila

The Philippines, Japan, and the United States conducted joint military exercises in the disputed South China Sea, showcasing their commitment to regional security and a free, open Indo-Pacific. The Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) took place within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone, amid rising tensions over China’s growing assertiveness in the region.

The drills, aligned with international law, focused on enhancing coordination, maritime tactics, and shared awareness. The US Navy emphasized its support for freedom of navigation and overflight rights, critical for regional stability.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) highlighted the drills’ role in strengthening responses to maritime security threats. “Every iteration strengthens our capacity to safeguard national interests,” the AFP stated.

Japan’s embassy in Manila reaffirmed the strategic partnership, noting the trilateral alliance’s shared vision of a rules-based international order promoting peace and prosperity.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines underscored Washington’s role in maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praising the alliance as vital for regional security.

This joint exercise follows recent diplomatic developments, including the Japan-US-Philippines Maritime Dialogue, where leaders reaffirmed opposition to unilateral attempts to alter the South China Sea’s status quo.

The G7 Foreign Ministers recently condemned China’s coercive actions in the region, reinforcing their support for sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.