Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32), second from front, sails in formation with Philippine Coast Guard Parola-class patrol vessel BRP Malabrigo (MRRV 4402), front, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces Murasame-class destroyer JS Yudachi (DD 103), third from front, and Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG 15), back, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, on July 24, 2026. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caylen McCutcheon/U.S. Navy photo
U.S., Japanese, and Philippines forces completed a five-day maritime exercise in the South China Sea on July 25, a day after an attack in disputed waters intensified tensions between the Filipino government and Chinese communist regime.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday that the joint drills included working together on communication exercises, division tactics, cross-deck landing, and fly-by operations.
The efforts help “the enduring partnership among the partner nations in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region,” the Philippines Armed Forces (AFP) wrote in a statement on July 26.
“It likewise reflects the AFP’s continuing commitment in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight while deterring illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities in the West Philippine Sea,” it added.
The exercises, called the 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, were held from July 21 to 25.
The exercises overlapped with a separate training exercise between the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, as forces participated in mine warfare training off the coast of northern Japan in Mutsu Bay from July 9 to 24.
“It is always an honor and a privilege to work alongside our host-nation partner and continue to build on our powerful relationship within the mine countermeasures community,” U.S. Navy Capt. Scott G. Wells said, adding that the U.S. military has been conducting these exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force “for decades, and we remain dedicated to advancing our collective capacity in this critical operational capability.”
The drills, the exact location of which were not revealed, occurred amid rising friction after the Philippine Navy accused Chinese Coast Guard personnel of striking a sailor with a wooden baton on July 20.
The incident happened in the South China Sea near Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef that both China and the Philippines claim.
Vessels sailed the South China Sea during a maritime exercise with the U.S., Japan and Philippines forces between July 21 to July 25, 2026. SSg Manzano, Cpl Mancawan/The Armed Forces of the Philippines
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, China fired a water cannon at Philippine government ships near the Scarborough Shoal, another disputed area, on both Thursday and Friday during the drills.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila denied the claims and suggested their personnel were provoked.
Separately, Mainland Chinese sources confirmed to The Epoch Times that live-fire exercises were underway in the western Taiwan Strait and East and South China seas on July 23 and 24.
The sources say the military drills should not necessarily be viewed as an isolated event, as China may want to signal that Chinese military movements happen often.
Arthur Zhang and Dorthy Li contributed to this report.
