CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Philippine Navy (PN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted the first bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) on August 2, 2024, in the West Philippine Sea. This activity was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Philippine Navy deployed the BRP Jose Rizal while the JS Sazanami participated from the JMSDF. The types of exercises conducted during the MCA included a communications exercise (COMMEX), tactical maneuvering, and a photographic exercise (PHOTOEX).
This collaborative exercise enhanced the tactical capabilities of the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF and reinforced the strong ties and mutual commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region. The JMSDF and the PN are dedicated to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating their shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order.
