MANILA. The Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime exercises for the fifth time in the South China Sea, the Philippine Armed Forces announced on Sunday. The two-day exercise, held on Friday and Saturday, marks the first such activity of 2025 and continues a series of collaborations that began in 2023.
The Philippine military described the event as a “maritime cooperative activity,” emphasizing its role in strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two allied nations. The exercises included the U.S. Navy’s Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, two guided missile destroyers, two helicopters, and two F-18 Hornet aircraft. On the Philippine side, the military deployed the Antonio Luna frigate, Andres Bonifacio patrol ship, two FA-50 fighter jets, and air force search and rescue assets.
Security engagements between the two nations have increased significantly under the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has sought closer ties with Washington. This partnership has included an expansion of military bases accessible to American forces, some of which are strategically located facing Taiwan.
“These joint activities reflect the strong commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Philippine Armed Forces stated, highlighting the importance of such collaborations in the region.
The exercises come amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has repeatedly criticized China for the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels within its maritime zone. This includes a massive 165-meter (541-foot) vessel dubbed “the monster” by Philippine officials due to its size.
The Philippines continues to push back against what it describes as violations of its territorial sovereignty, with President Marcos Jr. reaffirming his administration’s commitment to defending the nation’s rights in the disputed waters. These exercises further underscore the deepening military ties between Manila and Washington amidst growing regional challenges.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
