By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday said the successful conduct of the sixth multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) highlights the country’s strong defense ties with Australia, Japan, and the United States.
“This activity demonstrates the strong cooperation and interoperability among our nations’ armed forces. Conducted in accordance with international law, the MMCA ensures safe navigation while respecting the rights and interests of all states,” he said in a statement.
Brawner also said the MMCA reflects the shared commitment of the nations involved to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Naval and air force units from the Philippines, Australia, Japan and the United States participated in a one-day MMCA that took place in the country’s exclusive economic zone Wednesday.
The AFP deployed guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) along with Philippine Air Force search-and-rescue (SAR) assets.
Meanwhile, Australia deployed the air warfare destroyer, HMAS Hobart (DDG-39) and a P-8A “Poseidon” maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft while Japan sent the destroyer JS Akizuki (DD-115).
The United States deployed the the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the USS Benfold (DDG-65) and P-8A Poseidon.
The MMCA reaffirmed the critical role of collaboration in ensuring peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. It also strengthens the bonds among partner nations dedicated to upholding mutual prosperity and maintaining a rules-based international order.
“The MMCA featured a series of operational exercises designed to enhance coordination and interoperability among the participating forces. These included communication check exercises (COMMEX), maritime domain awareness and contact reporting, division tactics and officer of the watch maneuver (DIVTACS/OOW), photo exercise (PHOTOEX), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said.
The first MMCA took place in April 2024, followed by the second and third held in June and August in the same year, respectively.
The fourth and fifth took place in September and December, respectively.
Planned objectives met
Trinidad said that all “planned objectives” of the sixth MMCA were met.
“Throughout the exercise, the safety of all participating personnel and vessels was our utmost priority. Established protocols were strictly adhered to, ensuring a safe and professional environment,” Trinidad said.
While Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were monitored at a distance, these ships did not interfere with the MMCA which took place in the Northern Luzon Command’s joint operational area.
Trinidad did not give the specific location but said the MMCA’s “exercise box” was “south of Bajo de Masinloc”.
“The exercise proceeded smoothly, and we are pleased with the positive outcomes and the cooperation shown by all participants,” he said. (PNA)
