The United States, Japan, and the Philippines Conduct the 15th Multinational Maritime Cooperation Activity in the Northern Waters of Batanes, with Chinese Vessels Tracking the Entire Journey

From February 20 to 26, 2026, the Philippines, Japan, and the United States conducted the 15th Multinational Maritime Cooperation Activities (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Notably, this exercise expanded the operational area to the waters north of the Batanes Islands, the northernmost part of the Philippines, reaching near the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan and the Philippines. This marks the first time in the history of the exercise and suggests that the maritime cooperation among the three countries has entered a new phase.

The participating forces included the Philippine Navy's BRP Antonio Luna (Jose Rizal-class frigate), which carried one AW159 helicopter, and the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Gabriela Silang. From the United States, the USS Dewey, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer from the Indo-Pacific Command, participated with an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter onboard. Japan dispatched a P-3C patrol aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, which was responsible for patrol missions over the West Philippine Sea.

In terms of air power, the Philippine Air Force deployed FA-50 fighter jets, C-208B light transport aircraft, A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, and Sokol search and rescue helicopters, while the U.S. military sent a P-8A patrol aircraft. These aircraft, along with Japan's P-3C, conducted friendly flights and joint aerial patrols near the Bashi Channel.

The exercise covered a wide range of subjects, including communication drills, maritime situational awareness, at-sea replenishment, friendly flights, joint aerial patrols, formation maneuvers, and anti-submarine warfare exercises. Particularly noteworthy was the live-fire exercise conducted by the BRP Antonio Luna. Colonel Zerlxes Trinidad, a spokesperson for the Philippine military, stated, "The integration of these platforms has demonstrated the ability of the three countries to work seamlessly in a complex maritime environment," emphasizing the deepening of maritime cooperation.

During the exercise, there were incidents of naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy persistently tracking the ships of the U.S. and Philippine navies. On February 23, the Jiangkai II-class missile frigate Liuzhou (hull number 573) was confirmed, and from February 23 to 26, the missile destroyer Hefei (hull number 174) continued to track the participating vessels from near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) to the northern waters of Batanes.

Captain Jennifer Monforte, commanding officer of BRP Antonio Luna, stated, "They did not issue a radio warning to us, but their presence itself is illegal because they were within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. They tracked us all the way to Batanes." Captain Monforte further pointed out that the appearance of Chinese naval vessels in the Batanes area is "not normal." "Usually, they stay in the Bajo de Masinloc area. For them to track us during such exercises is not something I would consider normal."

However, Captain Monforte made it clear that conducting exercises near the Bashi Channel should not be seen as a provocation to other countries. "This is a scheduled exercise, and we are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Since this is not in the waters of other countries, it is not a provocation." This statement is seen as being mindful of the Taiwan issue.

According to Reuters, the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military announced on February 26 that it conducted "routine patrols" in the South China Sea from February 23 to 26, accusing the Philippines of "disrupting" peace and stability by organizing joint patrols with "external countries." A spokesperson for the command, Zhai Shicheng, stated in a statement, "The Chinese military firmly defends territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely maintains regional peace and stability."

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard accused China on February 23 of conducting signal jamming against Philippine vessels near Bajo de Masinloc. Brigadier General Jay Taliera, spokesperson for the Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea, stated, "The Starlink connection of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels and Coast Guard's MRRV 4409 lost signal." "I believe the People's Republic of China is conducting signal jamming. We are monitoring the situation where our vessels lose Starlink signals whenever they come within 24 nautical miles of Bajo de Masinloc." According to Brigadier General Taliera, this is the first time such an incident has occurred.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila denied on February 28 the accusations that China interfered with the communication and navigation systems of Philippine vessels and aircraft in the West Philippine Sea. Deputy spokesperson Wei Guo stated in a statement that "these accusations are unfounded," while also accusing Philippine military and Coast Guard vessels and aircraft of repeatedly intruding into "sensitive maritime areas."

The strategic significance of this exercise is extremely high. First, the expansion of the exercise area to the north of the Batanes Islands, that is, near the Bashi Channel, signifies an improvement in the trilateral cooperation capabilities in areas that will be crucial in the event of a crisis in the Taiwan Strait. The Bashi Channel is a strategic chokepoint connecting eastern Taiwan and the South China Sea and is one of the routes for the Chinese Navy's expansion into the Pacific. Second, the implementation of live-fire exercises and anti-submarine warfare drills indicates that the aim is not merely symbolic demonstrations but practical capability enhancement. Third, the persistent tracking by Chinese vessels and allegations of signal jamming highlight the rising tensions in this maritime area.

From Japan's perspective, participation in this exercise is a realization of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy and is closely related to the defense of the southwestern islands. The Bashi Channel is geographically contiguous to the southwestern islands, and security cooperation in this area directly impacts Japan's defense. Additionally, strengthening defense cooperation with the Philippines contributes to the multilayered deterrence network centered around the United States.

Brigadier General Taliera of the Philippine Coast Guard stated at the 2nd anniversary ceremony of the establishment of the "West Philippine Sea Transparency Group" that they will continue efforts to enhance transparency in the West Philippine Sea despite diplomatic pressures. "I have not received any instructions to tone down. Since we started this initiative, public awareness of marine issues has significantly increased. If we were to halt this, we would face backlash from the 94% of the Philippine public that supports the government's efforts."

The 15th MMCA clearly indicates that the maritime cooperation among the three countries has entered a new phase and vividly illustrates that the geopolitical competition surrounding the South China Sea is reaching a new stage. Japan will need to maintain and strengthen its presence in this region while further deepening cooperation with the Philippines and the United States.