The Philippines and the United States conducted their fifth joint maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) announced on January 19.
The drills, held from January 17 to 18 in the Palawan area, underscored the growing defense partnership between the two countries as they counter rising tensions with China in the contested waters.
The Philippine military labeled the two-day event a “maritime cooperative activity” (MCA), marking their first collaboration of the year.
These exercises, which began in 2023, have intensified under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has strengthened ties with Washington. His administration expanded U.S. access to Philippine military bases, including those strategically positioned near Taiwan.
During the operation, the U.S. showcased its Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, supported by two guided-missile destroyers, two helicopters, and two F-18 Hornet aircraft. The Philippines fielded the BRP Antonio Luna frigate, BRP Andres Bonifacio patrol ship, two FA-50 fighter jets, and air force search-and-rescue units.
AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. stressed the significance of the activity: “This MCA is a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead. This is a result of our shared commitment and mutual effort to safeguard our national interests and secure a peaceful region.”
Meanwhile, as the exercises unfolded, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) heightened its operations against Chinese vessels encroaching on its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The PCG reported actively monitoring the “monster ship”, the massive 165-meter-long Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, near Philippine waters.
The BRP Gabriela Silang, the PCG’s 83-meter flagship, directly challenged the Chinese ship’s presence. In a statement on Saturday, the PCG emphasized its resolve: “By confronting the presence of CCG vessel 5901, the PCG sends a clear message: the normalization of unlawful deployments will not be accepted or tolerated.”
The PCG cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to denounce China’s patrols in the area, asserting that freedom of navigation does not permit foreign vessels to conduct patrols within another state’s EEZ.

Philippine and U.S. vessels sailed in formation during the maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea on January 17, 2025.

Philippine Navy personnel on starboard watch, confirming USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

Philippine Navy personnel secured fences and raised ropes, to ensure operational readiness and safety.

Andres Bonifacio (PS17) participated in the 5th PH-US Maritime Cooperative Activity, showcasing seamless coordination with U.S. Navy assets.
Escalation at Scarborough Shoal
Tensions also remain high at Scarborough Shoal, a fishing ground located 241 kilometers off Zambales and within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ. A 2016 Hague tribunal invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea and affirmed the shoal’s status as a shared resource for Filipino, Chinese, and Vietnamese fishers.
However, China has maintained control of Scarborough Shoal since 2012. Recently, the Philippines accused Beijing of intimidating Filipino fishermen and deploying the “monster ship” to the region.
During a press conference last week, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela detailed the Chinese vessel’s movements. “The ship’s actions do not qualify as innocent passage or freedom of navigation because its movement is neither continuous nor expeditious,” he said.
On January 19, the PCG observed the departure of the monster ship and the arrival of a replacement, CCG-3304.
“CCG-5901 moved further away from the PCG vessel, while another vessel CCG-3304, approached the coast of Zambales. As of 9 PM, CCG-5901 was monitored at an approximate distance of 95 nautical miles from the coast of Zambales, with CCG-3304 at 65 nautical miles,” Tarriela said on January 19 night.
The 111-meter-long CCG-3304, which replaced the monster ship, surpasses the size of the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Gabriela Silang. However, the Philippine vessel actively asserted the country’s maritime rights, according to Tarriela.
The PCG vowed to challenge any unauthorized presence in its waters, conducting hourly radio warnings to Chinese vessels and reaffirming the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“The PCG stands firm in its dedication to ensuring that no unlawful actions by the China Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea go unchallenged,” Tarriela said.
This maritime standoff followed a January 16 agreement between the Philippine and China to indefinitely implement a resupply framework for Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. While this arrangement seeks to reduce friction, the Philippines remains vigilant, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding its territorial waters and asserting its sovereign rights in the region.
All photos credit: Armed Forces of the Philippines
Top photo: BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) conduct equipment checks during a Communication Exercise in the 5th PH-US Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea.