Philippines Joins US, Australia in South China Sea Drill

The BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), the Philippines' newest guided missile frigate, was deployed for a week-long exercise in the West Philippine Sea. This marked a significant advancement for the Philippine Navy, as it successfully performed complex tasks such as underway replenishment from an Australian oiler and anti-submarine warfare.

These joint operations, conducted alongside US and Australian forces, were continuously monitored by Chinese naval vessels, highlighting the geopolitical sensitivities of the region.

The Philippines contributed significantly to the exercise, deploying the BRP Diego Silang, an AW 109 utility helicopter, Philippine Air Force F50 fighter jets, a Cessna 208B utility aircraft, and a search and rescue helicopter, along with the BRP Teresa Magbanua. The United States sent the USS Santa Barbara (LCS) and a P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.

Australia's contributions included the HMAS Supply, an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, and a P-8A Poseidon, underscoring the substantial assets committed by all three nations to the multilateral activity.

The seven-day exercise was primarily focused on enhancing tactical interoperability among the participating navies. Drills included visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations, search and rescue (SAR) missions, deck landing qualifications, vertical replenishment, replenishment at sea, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

The emphasis on ASW cooperation, communication, and real-time data integration aimed to bolster the collective naval expertise and coordination of the allied forces in complex maritime environments.

An Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson highlighted the exercise as a key mechanism for alliance building and enhancing interoperability. The successful completion of the 19th MMCA was framed as a demonstration of the enduring commitment of the Philippines, the United States, and Australia.

This commitment, according to the spokesperson, is aimed at strengthening defense cooperation and promoting peace, stability, and security across the Indo-Pacific region.

Captain John Percy Alco, a commanding officer, stressed that the exercise was designed to enhance capabilities for combined maritime operations. He stated that such operations are crucial for success in protecting the Philippines' maritime rights and jurisdictions.

The drill's focus on operational enhancement underscores its critical role in enabling the Philippine Navy to fulfill its mandate in safeguarding national maritime interests.

Captain John Percy Alco provided a detailed account of the Chinese presence during the exercise, noting that the Philippine frigate was shadowed by various Chinese vessels. These included a Loyang-class guided-missile destroyer, a Jiangkai-II class guided-missile frigate, a Houbei-class missile boat, and two Chinese Coast Guard vessels.

The Chinese vessels maintained a distance of two to 4.5 nautical miles throughout the drill. Captain Alco observed that such shadowing has become a routine occurrence in exercises conducted this year.

Despite the constant shadowing by Chinese vessels, Captain John Percy Alco confirmed that there was no physical interference with the exercise. The drills proceeded according to the planned schedule, indicating a professional, albeit tense, conduct from all parties involved.

This observation suggests a deliberate effort by Chinese forces to monitor without directly disrupting the multinational maritime activities.

During the exercise, tense radio exchanges occurred near Sabina Shoal between Chinese and Philippine vessels. Chinese Navy warship 536 issued sovereignty claims and ordered Philippine Navy warship 07 to depart the area.

In response, Philippine Navy warship 07 firmly rejected the order, asserting its rights by invoking the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to protect its exclusive economic zone within the Kalayaan Island Group.

China responded to the multilateral drills by launching its own naval and air patrols. Senior Captain Tian Xichun characterized the drills as provocative, stating that the PLA Southern Theater Command forces would resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Beijing asserted that its actions were intended to firmly uphold peace and stability in the region. The PLA Southern Theater Command conducted a 'combat readiness patrol' from August 21 to 25 as its direct response.

The 19th MMCA stands out due to three key factors. Firstly, the increased frequency of such exercises, with 10 conducted within the 2026 calendar year, signifies a hardening into a standing operational rhythm rather than occasional signaling. Secondly, there's been an operational shift with the deployment of the BRP Diego Silang, a modern Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigate, enhancing the Philippines' capabilities.

Lastly, the political continuity, marked by the alignment between AFP leadership, the Defense Secretary, and President Marcos Jr., indicates a unified strategic direction for these cooperative activities.

Despite the increased cooperation and advanced capabilities demonstrated during the 19th MMCA, the drills have yet to alter Chinese behavior. Shadowing and radio challenges from Chinese vessels have become routine occurrences, indicating an ongoing stalemate in the West Philippine Sea.

Both the Philippines and China continue to publicly label each other's presence as unlawful, highlighting the deeply entrenched nature of the territorial disputes. While the drills showcase the Philippines' enhanced capacity and alliances, they have not resolved the fundamental disagreements over maritime sovereignty.