Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17498931473891749893143990.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Philippines and Japan hold a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday morning, nearly a year after the two countries held the drills for the first time. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippines and Japan hold a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday morning, nearly a year after the two countries held the drills for the first time. <em>Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>WEST PHILIPPINE SEA (<strong>UPDATE</strong>) — The Philippines and Japan on Saturday conducted a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea, nearly a year after the two countries held the drills for the first time.</p><p>The MCA, focused on anti-submarine warfare, also came after Japan&#x27;s National Diet ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with the Philippines, seen to boost defense collaboration.</p><p>Members of the media – including ABS-CBN News – were aboard the newly-commissioned BRP Miguel Malvar, a guided-missile frigate bought from South Korea. Participating in the activity was Japanese destroyer JS Takanami.</p><p>The two countries prefaced the activities with an anti-surface warfare exercise on their respective ships. This centered on training to destroy and detect surface vessels.</p><p>During this activity, however, two PLA Navy ships with bow numbers 569 and 161 appeared. The Chinese vessels shadowed the two ships within the exercise zone. </p><p>Despite the entry of the Chinese ships, Lt. Commander Bryan Magura, BRP Miguel Malvar&#x27;s operations officer and acting executive officer said the activity was successful.</p><p>Lt. Cdr. Magura said the exercises were not geared against any country but he declined to divulge how many &quot;interlopers&quot; or foreign ships monitored the MCA. </p><p>&quot;It is our regular activity to conduct training to enhance our capabilities. (JC) Wala silang any activity or any interference na kinonduct,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Wala naman silang unusual activity. We conducted the training without any interference. The training was conducted as planned and it was successfully concluded,&quot; he added. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/10/41-chinese-coast-guard-navy-ships-monitored-in-west-ph-sea-in-may-1532">41 Chinese coast guard, navy ships monitored in West Philippine Sea in May</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>CROSS-DECK LANDING </strong></div><p>Around 10 a.m., a cross-deck landing exercise with Japan was conducted, wherein a Philippine Navy from BRP Miguel Malvar landed on JS Takanami&#x27;s. </p><p>A division tactics drill was also held, which, according to the Philippine Army sought to enhance interoperability as well as coordination among participating Navy vessels through tactical maneuvers.</p><p>The ships moved into formation 20 nautical miles west northwest of Cabra Island, with speeds reaching between 12 knots to 20 knots per hour. The drill included a unit engaging in tactical signals, command and control, and other procedures.</p><p>Manila and Japan concluded the MCA through photo exercises and the traditional salute, with respective troops waving at each other as a sign of gratitude.  </p><p>Lt. Cdr. Magura said interoperability is very important as this means two countries could operate together during missions and future activities. </p><p>&quot;We are able to enhance the skills and the knolwedge of our personnel and we are able to test our interoperability with the Japanese Navy. This activity is for training between Japan and the Philippines, focused kami sa misyon namin to conduct the MCA, enhance our capabilities and training of personnel,&quot; said LtCdr. Magura. </p><p>&quot;It means you have a common understanding of how to conduct certain missions.&quot; </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/11/ph-army-ready-to-deploy-more-personnel-to-west-ph-sea-army-chief-1320">PH Army ready to deploy more personnel to West PH Sea: Army chief</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ig0U2MnXJo?si=7eaKQIjOHXtTHMrr" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Philippines and Japan on Saturday held a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in a portion of the West Philippine Sea, nearly a year after the two countries held the drills for the first time.</p>

The Philippines and Japan on Saturday held a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in a portion of the West Philippine Sea, nearly a year after the two countries held the drills for the first time.

Philippines, Japan conduct joint maritime drills in West PH Sea

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Philippines, Japan conduct joint maritime drills in West PH Sea

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 14, 2025 05:28 PM PHT

|

Updated Jun 14, 2025 08:36 PM PHT

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Maritime drills

MCA

maritime cooperative activity

West Philippine Sea

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