MANILA – China’s navy tailed the Philippines’ joint sea and air activities with Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday. 

China’s People Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized its naval and air forces for routine reconnaissance, early warning, and sea-air patrol exercises near the waters surrounding Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag, Scarborough Shoal) on Saturday, coinciding with the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) where naval and air force units of the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand also held drills in the northern Luzon part of the West Philippine Sea. 

READ: PH holds joint drills with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and US in Philippine waters

Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said the Philippine military monitored the Chinese navy vessels in the vicinity of the exercise but that the multilateral exercise "proceeded as planned without any interference" and that the ships of the participating countries were never in danger.

“While there were observations of PLAN vessels tailing during the MMCA, no reports were received regarding the conduct of the alleged Chinese military exercise,” Padilla also said.

The AFP sent the BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), an AW109 helicopter, and Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue (SAR) assets to the multilateral exercise with the US Navy's USS Howard (DDG83), Australia’s HMAS Sydney (D48), Japan’s JS Sazanami (DD113), and New Zealand’s HMNZS Aotearoa (A-11).

READ: China conducts air, sea patrols near Scarborough Shoal

Activities included pre-sail briefings, communication exercises (COMMEX), cross-deck exercises, division tactics/officer of the watch (Divtacs/OOW) drills, photographic exercises (PHOTOEX), replenishment at sea (RAS) approaches, maritime domain awareness (MDA) exercises, and contact reporting, all designed to refine operational readiness and collaborative capabilities.

“The AFP views the MMCA as a pivotal demonstration of international cooperation, strengthening partnerships and enhancing the capabilities of allied nations. This collaborative approach is essential in maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment in the region,” Padilla said. 

“Recent Maritime Cooperative Activities with allied countries are integral to our Maritime Security Operations, aimed at strengthening our effective presence in the West Philippine Sea. We will continue to actively engage with regional and international partners, fostering alliances through joint exercises, information sharing, and capacity-building initiatives,” she continued. 

RELATED VIDEO