MANILA, Philippines – ISANG flotilla na binubuo ng mga ships at aircraft mula sa Pilipinas, Estados Unidos at Japan ang kamakailan lamang ay nagdaos ng 22nd Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) sa West Philippine Sea mula Oktubre 19 hanggang 24, 2026.
Sinasabi sa isang kalatas mula sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na ang Philippine Navy at Philippine Coast Guard ay sinamahan ng mga Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) sa aktibidad.
Nagsilbing kinatawan ng Pilipinas ang guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG6), isa AW109 helicopter, isang C-208B aircraft, at isang search-and-rescue (SAR) aircraft, habang ang Philippine Coast Guard na naman nagpadala ng BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301).
Nagpadala naman ang USPACOM ng cutter USCGC Bertholf at isang MH-65 helicopter, habang ang JMSDF ay nag-deoploy ng guided missile destroyer JS Kirisame at isang SH-60K helicopter.
Winika ng AFP na nagsagawa ang mga participant ng Communications Exercise (COMMEX), Division Tactics (DIVTACS), Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX), Deck Landing Qualification and Vertical Replenishment (DLQ/VERTREP), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) at Search and Rescue (SAR) serials para palakasin ang logistics, maritime-security, at emergency-response coordination.
Idinagdag pa nito na “the successful conduct of the 22nd MMCA reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation with Japan and the United States and promoting a free, open, and rules-based maritime environment.” KRIS JOSE
