MANILA, Philippines – Isinagawa ng Philippine at United States militaries at coast guards ang 6th Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) sa strategic waters ng Palawan at Occidental Mindoro nitong Martes, Mayo 20.
Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na nagkasama ang US Coast Guard (USCG) at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sa paglahok sa MCA, nagpapakita ng umuusbong na whole-of-nation approach sa maritime cooperation, saad sa pahayag ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nitong Miyerkules, Mayo 21.
Tampok sa naturang aktibidad ang mga exercise kasama ang US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), PCG, at USCG, kabilang ang Communications Check Exercise (COMMEX); Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX); Division Tactics and Officer of the Watch Maneuver (DIVTACS/OOW); Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX); at Finish Exercise (FINEX).
Ang mga asset na ginamit sa aktibidad ay ang BRP Ramon Alcaraz, BRP Domingo Deluana, at AW109 naval helicopter ng Philippine Navy; Super Tucano at Sokol helicopters ng Philippine Air Force; at BRP Melchora Aquino at BRP Malapascua ng Philippine Coast Guard.
Sa hanay naman ng US, ang ginamit na assets ay ang Cutter Stratton ng US Coast Guard at US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Layon ng mga exercise na palakasin ang kapabilidad ng Pilipinas at US sa surveillance at operational coordination.
“As the Philippines continues to navigate evolving maritime challenges, joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the AFP’s commitment to modernizing its capabilities and strengthening defense partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests,” pahayag ni AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. RNT/JGC
