The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) (foreground) and the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) sail in formation during a photo exercise held in Manila and Bataan, as part of the Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity 26-3.1 on Friday (March 20, 2026). The US 7th Fleet said the drills were conducted consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety, navigational rights, and freedoms of all nations. (Photo by Edward Bungubung/PAOAFP)
The Philippines and the United States have concluded another bilateral maritime cooperative activity in Manila Bay and the waters off Mariveles, Bataan, underscoring their continuing push to strengthen maritime security coordination amid persistent tensions in the region.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Saturday that the latest exercise, dubbed Bilateral MCA 26-3.1, was completed on Friday and focused on improving interoperability among participating forces from the AFP, the US Indo-Pacific Command, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
According to the AFP, the activity was designed to support sustained maritime security operations and response capabilities within the country’s maritime zones.
“The successful conduct of the MCA reflected the continuing commitment of the Philippines and the United States to strengthen coordination and cooperation in promoting regional maritime security, stability, and adherence to international law,” the AFP said.
It added that the military remains committed to building stronger defense partnerships while enhancing its capacity to protect the country’s maritime interests and uphold a rules-based international order.
Philippine assets deployed for the drills included the BRP Antonio Luna (FFG-15), two A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, a C-208B aircraft, a Sokol search-and-rescue aircraft, and the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301). The United States, for its part, sent the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), the flagship of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet.
During the activity, participating forces carried out a series of exercises, including communications checks and a photo exercise aimed at sharpening coordination at sea.
The US 7th Fleet said the drills, along with other maritime cooperative activities, were conducted in accordance with international law and with due regard for the safety, navigational rights, and freedoms of all nations.
“The US, along with our allies and partners, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law,” the US 7th Fleet said.
It added that the US 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, regularly operates with allies and partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Ahead of the maritime exercise, the USS Blue Ridge made a port visit to Manila, where personnel from the US 7th Fleet and the Philippine Navy Fleet held subject matter expert exchanges and leadership engagements.
The latest activity follows the two countries’ January maritime cooperative exercise off Bajo de Masinloc, held against the backdrop of China’s continuing presence in the West Philippine Sea.
