MANILA — The Philippines, United States, and Japan conducted another round of maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), highlighting growing security cooperation among the three nations.

The 13th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), and the eighth this year, took place Friday and Saturday, bringing together major assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), US Indo-Pacific Command, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, according to a news release.

The AFP deployed its missile-capable frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), along with an AW159 helicopter. The US sent the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, led by the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), while Japan fielded JS Akebono (DD-108) and a SH-60K Seahawk. The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cape San Agustin also supported the mission, enhancing maritime domain awareness in the WPS.

The AFP said the exercise featured interoperability drills including communications checks, resupply-at-sea approaches, anti-submarine exercises, maritime domain awareness reporting, cross-deck helicopter landings, formation maneuvers, and a final integrated exercise.

The AFP added that the sustained MMCA series “reflects its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereign rights and advancing collective defense readiness with trusted partners,” amid continued harassment of Philippine vessels by Chinese ships.

The Marcos administration has taken a firmer stance in the WPS, expanding joint patrols, filing diplomatic protests, and releasing videos of Chinese maneuvers against Philippine ships. Chinese vessels have reportedly engaged in laser-pointing, dangerous blocking maneuvers, and ramming of Philippine Coast Guard and supply boats near Ayungin Shoal, actions Manila has called violations of international law.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, but a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidated these claims—a decision Beijing has refused to recognize.

The trilateral drills follow the historic Philippines-US-Japan leaders’ summit in April, where the countries pledged deeper maritime cooperation, more joint patrols, and expanded defense coordination.

The AFP said more maritime activities with partners are expected as the Philippines continues to modernize its fleet and reinforce its presence in the WPS.

(With a report from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)