PH, US hold seventh joint maritime activity in WPS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) sailed together in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for the seventh time to strengthen their cooperation and interoperability in maintaining regional peace and stability in the heavily contested waters.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

The seventh bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the AFP and US Indopacom was held last June 4 in the sea of Occidental Mindoro and Zambales.

"The MCA is a demonstration of both nations' resolve to deepen cooperation and enhance interoperability in line with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office, said.

"As regional dynamics evolve, the MCA underscores the importance of working together to safeguard peace, stability, and a rule-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region," he added.

The joint sail marked the first operational deployment of BRP Miguel Malvar, the newest guided missile frigate of the Philippine Navy. She was commissioned into service last month.

"The mission provided a valuable opportunity to evaluate the ship’s performance in a multilateral environment and assess its readiness to operate alongside its partner nation, reaffirming its vital role in enhancing the AFP’s maritime capabilities," Trinidad said.