Three Allies, One Sea: PH, US, and Australia Flex Muscles in Latest West Philippine Sea Drills
Tatlong bansa, isang mensahe — the Philippines, United States, and Australia concluded the 14th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea on February 15 to 16, 2026, with joint naval and air assets conducting coordinated drills between Subic Bay and Bajo de Masinloc. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced the completion of the exercise, describing it as another milestone in the deepening trilateral defense partnership among the three nations.
The exercise involved naval ships, maritime patrol aircraft, and coast guard vessels from all three countries operating within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Activities included coordinated maritime patrols, communication drills, and formation sailing exercises designed to enhance interoperability among allied forces. The Bajo de Masinloc area — also known as Scarborough Shoal — has been a frequent flashpoint in the ongoing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China, making the exercise location highly symbolic.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla emphasized that the drills were conducted entirely within the Philippines' sovereign waters and EEZ, and were a legitimate exercise of the country's rights under international law. She noted that the multilateral cooperation strengthens the Philippines' ability to respond to maritime threats and reinforces the message that the West Philippine Sea remains a focus of allied attention. Hindi kami nag-iisa — ang message nila sa lahat.
The 14th MMCA is part of a regular series of joint exercises that have grown in frequency and scale amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, a Philippine Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese coast guard ship were involved in a water cannon standoff near the Spratly Islands — an incident that drew strong condemnation from Manila and its allies. The exercises are seen as part of a broader strategy to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in disputed waters.
Defense analysts welcomed the completion of the exercise, saying it sends a clear message about the resolve of the Philippines and its allies to protect the country's maritime rights. With the Marcos administration maintaining a firm stance on the West Philippine Sea issue, such exercises are expected to continue — and likely increase — in the coming months. Ang dagat ay sa atin — and the Philippines is making sure the world knows it. Source: The Manila Times, Rappler, PNA, SBS Filipino, GlobalSecurity.org
