PH, US navies hold 'maritime cooperative activity' in WPS

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 1, 2024): PH, US navies hold 'maritime cooperative activity' in WPS (By Priam Nepomuceno)

JOINT PATROL. A Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) watches the USS Mobile (LCS- 26) during the two vessels' maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday (July 31, 2024). The MCA consists of a series of exercises aimed at enhancing communication and operational coordination between the two navies. (Photo courtesy of the AFP)

MANILA – Philippine and United States naval ships held another "maritime cooperative activity" (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Wednesday afternoon.

"These joint exercises with our ally are crucial in enhancing our naval capabilities and ensuring that we can effectively collaborate to safeguard our maritime interests. The partnership between the PN and the USN continues to be a pillar of regional stability," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement late Wednesday.

Brawner added the "successful execution" of these maritime exercises underscores the strong defense ties between the Philippines and the United States and their shared commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Participating ships include the Philippine Navy (PN)'s offshore patrol vessel, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), and US Navy (USN)'s littoral combat ship, the USS Mobile (LCS-26).

The activity was held inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone, in the waters west of Palawan.

Meanwhile, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the MCA ended at 6 p.m.

"No Chinese vessel was detected in the exercise area, both by visual and radar monitoring," he added.

The MCA consists of a series of exercises aimed at enhancing communication and operational coordination between the two navies.

These activities comprised a communications check exercise, division tactics, officer of the watch maneuver exercise, photographic exercise, and cross deck exercise.

"The primary objective of this activity is to strengthen the interoperability and cooperative capabilities of the PN and the USN," Trinidad said.

He added that these exercises aimed to improve the readiness of the two navies to operate together in ensuring maritime security and stability in the region.

The first MCA with US naval forces was conducted in November of last year.

PN responds to distressed Vietnamese vessel

Earlier, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, under the operational control of Naval Forces West, responded to reports of a sunken Vietnamese fishing vessel inside the Quirino (Jackson) Atoll, a traditional fishing ground in the WPS on July 30.

PN spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said they became aware of the Vietnamese vessel's condition after receiving information from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) elements.

"PS-16 commanding officer, Lt. Commander Christofer Neil Calvo said that they arrived in the vicinity of the atoll an hour after receiving the report and immediately deployed a rescue team," he added.

Upon investigation, the Vietnamese fishing vessel with Bow Nr. Q. Ng 96554 TS was found with no personnel onboard. did not cause oil spill that may harm marine life while assorted food and beverage were observed floating near the ship.

"However, another Vietnamese fishing vessel was also sighted 4.6 nautical miles away suggesting that the people on board the sunken vessel may have been rescued by their compatriots. PS-16 later confirmed the rescue of the crew by the other vessel," Alcos said.

He added that the PN's immediate response to assist the Vietnamese vessel underscores the strong Philippine-Vietnam relations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230234