By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Filipino and American naval and air units over the weekend conducted the fifth bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday.
The exercise took place from June 27 to 28 and reaffirmed the two nations’ commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation and regional security.
The fourth MCA between the Philippines and the U.S. took place last June 14 to 19 while the third transpired on May 26 to 30, with the second taking place on March 20 to 21, and the first on Jan. 25 to 26.
For the Philippine side, the AFP deployed the guided missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG-15), an AW-109 naval helicopter and the Philippine Coast Guard ships BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Capones (MRRV-4404).
And for the American side, the United States Pacific Command sent the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141) and Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145).
“The two-day exercise conducted a series of interoperability activities including communication exercises, division tactics/officer of the watch maneuvers, photo exercise, search and rescue exercise and maritime domain awareness activity,” the AFP said.
It also said the fifth MCA “underscores the enduring Philippines–United States alliance and the continued commitment of both nations to enhancing maritime domain awareness.”
Aside from this, joint drills between the Philippines and U.S. militaries also aimed to improve operational interoperability between the two services besides supporting a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific Region. (PNA)
