PHL holds naval drills with US, Japan

THE Philippines held joint naval drills in the contested South China Sea with the US and Japan last week, the Philippine military said on Sunday, just over a week since China unveiled its most advanced carrier.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio Reporter

In a statement, the Philippine military said its frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna were joined by the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its accompanying warships for a two-day exercise from Nov. 14 to 15 alongside the Japanese destroyer JS Akebono in the disputed waterway.

“These engagements highlight not only the Philippines’ steadfast resolve to defend its maritime domains but also its shared commitment with partners to strengthen deterrence, enhance interoperability and uphold freedom of navigation under a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific,” the armed forces said.

Last week’s antisubmarine warfare and maritime domain awareness drills were the eighth round of what the Philippines calls “multilateral maritime cooperative activities” (MMCA) this year, and the 13" since its inception.

“The continuing MMCA series reflects its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereign rights and advancing collective defense readiness alongside trusted partners,’ it said.