Trilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity Concludes in the West Philippine Sea
Naval forces from the Philippines, Japan, and the United States wrapped up a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, aimed at strengthening logistics, maritime security, and emergency-response coordination. The 22nd Philippines-Japan-United States MCA ran from October 19 to 24 and marked the 14th MCA of 2026, philstar.com reported. The exercises expanded operational capabilities at sea through specialized procedures and refined maritime doctrines. Participating units engaged in communications exercises, division tactics, photo exercises, deck landing qualifications, vertical replenishment, maritime domain awareness, and search and rescue serials.
Fleet Deployment Across the Trilateral Drills
The Armed Forces of the Philippines mobilized the patrol vessel BRP Miguel Malvar, an AW109 helicopter, a C-208B aircraft, and a search and rescue aircraft, while the Philippine Coast Guard deployed the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang. The United States Pacific Command contributed the Coast Guard cutter USCGC Bertholf alongside an MH-65 helicopter. Meanwhile, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force dispatched the destroyer JS Kirisame and an SH-60K helicopter.
22nd PH-JPN-US Maritime Cooperative Activity Concludes SuccessfullyThe Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) successfully conducted the 22nd PH-JPN-US Multilateral Maritime Cooperative… pic.twitter.com/9iY5552zA9
Joint Anti-Piracy Drills Near Corregidor Island
According to Philippine Canadian Inquirer, the Shikishima arrived at Pier 15 in Manila on Friday following its participation in the 24th Regional Marine Pollution Exercise 2026 in Bitung and Manado, Indonesia. PCG Commodore Algier Ricafrente, director of the Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center, noted that the anti-piracy drills formed part of broader efforts to deepen regional cooperation and improve operational coordination between the two maritime agencies.
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