CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) joined forces with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for another iteration of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) conducted in the West Philippine Sea from November 14 to 15, 2025, demonstrating growing regional unity and cooperation. This marks the eighth MMCA this year and the 13th overall since its inception.
The AFP deployed BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) and an AW159. The USINDOPACOM participated through the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, composed of the USS Nimitz (CVN68), USS Wayne Meyer (DDG 108), USS Gridley (DDG101), and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG123). Meanwhile, the JMSDF joined with the JS Akebono (DD-108) and an SH-60K Seahawk helicopter.
The operation was further supported by the Philippine Coast Guard BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) and BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV 4408), which played a key role in enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the West Philippine Sea.
The activity featured a series of coordinated maritime and aerial operations, including Rendezvous time, Communication Check Exercise, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Contact Reporting, Resupply at Sea Approach, Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise, Cross-deck Landing Exercise, Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch (OOW) Maneuver with Photo Exercise, and Final Exercise (FINEX).
The AFP emphasized that the continuing MMCA series reflects its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereign rights and advancing collective defense readiness alongside trusted partners. These engagements highlight not only the Philippines’ steadfast resolve to defend its maritime domains but also its shared commitment with partners to strengthen deterrence, enhance interoperability, and uphold freedom of navigation under a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.
