Tensyon sa Dagat, Pero Tuloy ang PH-US-PCG Drills sa Manila Bay
Joint maritime drills in Manila Bay and off Mariveles, Bataan. Source: Manila Bulletin
Philippine and American forces held another round of joint maritime drills, this time in Manila Bay and waters off Mariveles, Bataan. The exercise brought together the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the US Indo-Pacific Command in a show of coordination at sea.
The activity, identified as Maritime Cooperative Activity 26-3.1, was held on March 20 and focused on maritime security and response operations inside Philippine waters. According to AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad, the main goal was to sharpen interoperability among the participating forces.
The Philippines deployed BRP Antonio Luna, two A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, a C-208B, and a Sokol search-and-rescue aircraft. The Coast Guard fielded BRP Gabriela Silang, while the United States sent USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the US 7th Fleet, for the combined activity.
Units carried out communications checks and a photo exercise during the drills. Philippine officials said the operation reflects continuing cooperation between Manila and Washington as both sides push stronger coordination on regional maritime security, especially habang umiinit ang usapan sa West Philippine Sea.
The maritime activity came as defense engagement between the two allies keeps expanding under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and related access agreements. Coast Guard officials also highlighted a recent meeting with the US 7th Fleet commander, saying both sides want deeper work on maritime domain awareness and more joint training moving forward.
Source: Manila Bulletin
