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Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) sails in formation with Philippine Coast Guard Parola-class patrol vessel BRP Malabrigo (MRRV 4402), Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG 15), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Yudachi (DD 103) during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity off Scarborough Shoal in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone on July 25, 2026. (Courtesy: U.S. Pacific Fleet)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday confirmed China’s recent military drills near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson for the WPS and Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the drills were monitored from July 31 to Aug. 1 and involved the deployment of five warships, one replenishment ship, two hovercraft, two helicopters, and an unidentified number of fighter aircraft.
“It coincided with the celebration of the 99th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army on Aug. 1. Whether this will become a sustained activity remains questionable,” Trinidad told reporters.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said it conducted a joint naval and air exercise in the territorial waters and airspace of Bajo de Masinloc, which China refers to as Huangyan Dao, and its surrounding areas on Saturday.
According to the theater command, the drills covered reconnaissance and early warning, deterrence patrols, air-sea control, and joint strike operations.
The exercises came after the 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) held from July 21 to 25 in the waters west of Zambales and east of Bajo de Masinloc, involving the AFP, the United States Indo-Pacific Command, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Trinidad said the Philippine contingent included one Philippine Navy warship, aircraft from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy, and two Philippine Coast Guard vessels.
The United States deployed a carrier strike group and two US Coast Guard cutters, while Japan sent one warship.
Trinidad explained that a carrier strike group typically consists of an aircraft carrier, a cruiser, three or four destroyers, and accompanying aircraft and submarine support.
He added that the participating US formation was reportedly the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group, although the composition of such formations may vary depending on operational requirements.
The AFP said the exercises likely included cross-deck landings, replenishment at sea, communications drills, anti-submarine warfare, and other interoperability activities among the participating forces.
According to Trinidad, the MMCA was conducted entirely within Philippine waters and moved dynamically within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Although Chinese military, coast guard, and maritime militia vessels were monitored beyond the horizon, they did not interfere with the activity, the AFP official said.
“The message to the entire world—not to any particular country—is that the Philippines is not alone in upholding international law,” Trinidad said.
Bajo de Masinloc lies about 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. — Vince Lopez & Rex Espiritu
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
