Chinese ships seen as PH, US hold joint drills off Zambales

ZAMBALES, Philippines — Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessels were sighted even before the start of the maritime drills between the Philippines and the United States in the waters of Zambales on Wednesday.

The Philippine Navy spotted CCG 4203, PLA-N 646 and PLA-N 551 within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near warship BRP Miguel Malvar as early as 7 a.m.

The 8th iteration of the PH-US maritime cooperation activity (MCA) held on Wednesday, in the waters off the province of Zambales, included Communications Exercise, Maritime Domain Awareness Contact Reporting, Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch Maneuver and Photo Exercise.

Specifically, the exercises were conducted in the general area of Palauig, Zambales, to Cabra Island, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.



The Philippines and the US have sailed together in the West Philippine Sea eight times to boost interoperability between the two military forces.

The allied nations have conducted MCA activities eight times since 2022 to strengthen interoperability and maritime cooperation. The MCA series is part of efforts to enhance maritime security, improve coordination between forces, and demonstrate the allies’ shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The latest iteration comes amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where Philippine vessels have repeatedly faced aggressive actions from Chinese forces.

Jiangkai-class PLA-N warship 551 came closest to BRP Miguel Malvar, at an estimated distance of three to four nautical miles.

“They did not have any unusual activity. They were just in the area,” said BRP Miguel Malvar Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Bryan Magura.

Magura stated that these vessels did not engage in any activity that would interfere with the conduct of the MCA.

He added that China has typically shown the same behavior during past exercises.

"This MCA is very significant because this time we were able to enhance our maritime domain awareness,” said Magura.

“It enhances our ability to monitor our area of responsibility so that we can practice how to respond immediately when there is a need to respond,” he added.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in a statement on Wednesday emphasized the strategic value of ongoing joint maritime activities with the United States, saying the exercises highlight both nations' dedication to a free and secure Indo-Pacific.

“These maritime engagements demonstrate our commitment to maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” Brawner said. “The 8th bilateral MCA reinforces both countries’ shared commitment to upholding international law, freedom of navigation, and regional stability.”

Among the deployed assets in this mission by the Armed Forces of the Philippines were BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), an AW109 helicopter, a PAF SAR asset, and a C-208B aircraft.

The Philippine Coast Guard also joined the visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) component of the exercises for the first time, deploying BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406).

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) radio challenged the 551 vessel that came close to the Philippine and US assets.

“Our activity with the Philippine Coast Guard is very important because every time they operate, we always support the law enforcement activities. So we are here to show the cooperation and interoperability between the Navy and the PCG to include our partner nations to enhance and improve through the conduct of maritime cooperative activities,” said Magura.

“We are here to make sure that our assets our interoperable and coordinated in the conduct of our mission,” Magura added.

Meanwhile, US forces deployed the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer known for its advanced air defense and anti-submarine capabilities, and the P-8A Poseidon, a long-range maritime patrol aircraft used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.

BRP Miguel Malvar, a 118-meter guided missile frigate and the newest warship of the Philippine Navy, arrived in April from South Korea and was commissioned in May by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This was the ship’s third major exercise. It first joined the seventh PH-US MCA and participated in the second Philippine-Japan bilateral activity in June.

“In every exercise that we conduct, we always improve our systems, procedures, the training of personnel, and the efficiency of the unit as a whole,” said Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Magura.

Magura said the addition of the ship to the fleet is advantageous, especially because of its firepower and new technology.

“We can respond to complex environment threat scenarios, especially in the four domains of antiwarfare: antisurface, antiair, electronic warfare, and antisubmarine warfare,” said Magura.

Formations practice

On Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine and US forces practiced three different formations: line, parallel, and diamond formations.

“We are conducting the formations to practice the skills of the officer of the watch in conducting maneuvers,” said Magura.

These tactical formations are used for different purposes.

The line formation is primarily used for close-quarters combat, while the diamond formation offers a balance of firepower and maneuverability. Parallel formation, also known as echelon, is often employed for flanking or enveloping maneuvers.

“Usually, we use these formations to execute the surface action concept in case we are conducting operations as a unit, in a group of ships,” said Mahura.

Moreover, it is also the first time that the AW109 Power helicopter landed on the BRP Miguel Malvar.

“This was a great experience for us pilots because this was the first time this type of aircraft has landed, the AW109, to land in our newest vessel Miguel Malvar,” said pilot in command of the AW109 helicopter from the Naval Air Wing, Lt. Kevin John Reforba. “This is the best training for our pilots, and we are also in tandem with the ship.”

“The air assets are in tandem with the ship. For areas that are not covered by the range of the ship, we have air assets that can extend the maritime patrol and maritime reconnaissance of the ship,” Reforba added.

ENS Krytlenn Ivany G. Quemado PN, helicopter control officer during flight quarters, told the Inquirer that the changing environment presented challenges in this type of operation./coa/cb

(2025/07/16-17:38)

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