For the First Time, PH-US-Japan Maritime Drills Reach Batanes — And Chinese Navy Ships Followed Them the Whole Way

The Philippines, United States, and Japan just made history by extending their multilateral maritime drills all the way to the waters off Batanes — the closest Philippine province to Taiwan — for the very first time. Since the MMCA started in 2024, the exercises had never gone past Pangasinan. Until now.

The four-day 15th MMCA ran from February 23 to 26, with the BRP Antonio Luna, USS Dewey, and Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Gabriela Silang sailing to northern Luzon. Two Philippine FA50 fighter jets flew alongside the US P-8 Poseidon and Japan's P-3 Orion near the Bashi Channel — the strategic waterway separating the Philippines from Taiwan.

BRP Antonio Luna Commanding Officer Capt. Jennifer Monforte stressed the significance: 'It's the first time MMCA has reached the Batanes area. The significance of the exercise is to show how far our operational reach is in the West Philippine Sea area.' She was quick to add that the drills should not be seen as provocation since they were conducted entirely within the Philippine EEZ.

Pero here's the kicker — throughout the entire four-day exercise, Chinese PLA Navy ships were monitored trailing the allied vessels, even following them up to Batanes. Monforte confirmed their presence was 'illegal' since they were inside the Philippine EEZ, though there was no exchange of radio challenges between the two sides.

The drills come amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea and growing concerns about a potential Taiwan contingency. The expansion to Batanes sends a clear signal: the Philippines and its allies are prepared to operate across the full extent of Philippine waters. The Chinese Embassy has been asked for comment but has not responded.

Source: GMA News