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PH holds 6th maritime cooperation activity with US, Japan, Australia

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
February 5, 2025, 3:46 pm

MANILA -- Naval and air force units from the Philippines, Australia, Japan and the United States are conducting the 6th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) at the country's exclusive economic zone on Wednesday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., in a statement, said the MMCA demonstrates the participants' "collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Brawner said naval and air force units of participating nations will operate together to enhance cooperation and interoperability among the armed forces. There were no details given regarding the exact time and location of the activity and the number and composition of the participants.

The 1st to the 5th MMCA activities took place in 2024 -- in April, June, August, September and December.

Brawner said the MMCA would be "conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard for the safety of navigation, and the rights and interests of other States."

The AFP chief further said the exercise highlights the Philippines' commitment "to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace."

Aside from this, the MMCA shows the participants' respect for maritime rights under international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Brawner said.

Participants on the way

Meanwhile, in an interview with reporters, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the participants were headed to the "exercise box" or area.

"Today (Wednesday) is the start of the exercise so everybody should be steaming, going to, and then all the different formations and exercises will be conducted on the said exercise box," he added.

Trinidad also said it is possible that MMCA would be completed sometime in the afternoon or even in the evening.

When asked where the exercise box is, Trinidad said it is in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) without giving further details.

"Definitely in the WPS," he added. (PNA)