Philippines Concludes Joint Maritime Drills with U.S., Japan Amid South China Sea Tensions
The Philippines completed a five-day series of joint maritime exercises with the United States and Japan in the South China Sea. The 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, as described by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), began on July 21 and involved warships, coast guard vessels, and fighter aircraft from the three countries. The AFP announced in a statement that the exercises took place last week, emphasizing their strategic purpose and coordination among the forces.
The AFP did not specify the exact location of the training but stressed that the drills focused on ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring illegal and aggressive behavior in the region. Activities included communication tests, at-sea refueling operations, and coordinated tactical exercises. The AFP described the event as a vital part of strengthening the enduring partnership among the three nations to preserve peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The maritime exercises took place against a backdrop of renewed tensions in the South China Sea, particularly at Scarborough Shoal. On Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) used water cannons against PCG and BFAR vessels. These Filipino boats were delivering fuel and supplies to local fishermen, part of a government-backed initiative to protect the traditional fishing grounds.
The CCG’s water cannon attacks struck high-pressure jets at the PCG and BFAR vessels. In addition, a Chinese coast guard ship sailed dangerously close—within about 7 meters—of a BFAR boat, creating a potential risk of collision. The PCG released video footage of the incidents and strongly condemned the Chinese actions as reckless and unprofessional.
In response, the CCG accused the Philippines of organizing a large maritime assembly involving government and fishing vessels at Scarborough Shoal, which China refers to as Huangyan Dao. The CCG claimed it used legal methods, including warnings and water cannon, after Philippine vessels ignored prior attempts to deter them. Both sides continue to assert competing claims over the shoal, a flashpoint for decades.
Scarborough Shoal, located about 200 kilometers west of the Philippines’ Luzon island and 874 kilometers from China’s Hainan Island, has been a persistent source of conflict. The CCG regularly patrols the area, and in 2012, a standoff between Philippine and Chinese forces resulted in China gaining control of the shoal. Over the years, the CCG has repeatedly attempted to block Filipino fishermen from accessing the shoal’s rich fishing grounds.
The recent confrontation at Scarborough Shoal followed a similar incident on Thursday, when the CCG used water cannons and other force to disrupt a Philippine supply mission. The PCG described the actions as coercive and illegal, while the CCG maintained that it was responding to what it called unlawful activities by the Philippines. The CCG again reiterated its territorial claims and called for Manila to stop what it described as provocative actions.
In addition, a violent clash occurred on July 20 at Second Thomas Shoal, about 650 kilometers from Scarborough Shoal. During this incident, Philippine and Chinese personnel reportedly exchanged physical blows, with a Filipino sailor sustaining a head injury after being struck with a baton by a CCG officer. China blamed the Philippines for instigating the conflict and accused Manila of spreading false propaganda to distort the facts of the event.
These incidents unfolded as ASEAN foreign ministers concluded a week of regional meetings in Manila. During the talks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized China’s actions in the South China Sea, calling them disturbing and reaffirming American support for the Philippines. Other regional partners also voiced concerns over the escalating hostilities and the need for dialogue to resolve the disputes.
Tensions in the South China Sea have been further heightened by the 10th anniversary of a landmark international tribunal ruling in The Hague. The tribunal ruled that China’s expansive nine-dash line claim had no legal basis under international law. China dismissed the ruling as invalid, claiming it had no jurisdiction over the dispute. The ruling remains a point of contention in diplomatic and legal debates over maritime rights in the region.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea has condemned the CCG’s actions as dangerous and unlawful. The task force reiterated that the fishing rights of Filipino fisherfolk in the area, including Scarborough Shoal, cannot be lawfully impeded by foreign powers. The ongoing disputes have underscored the need for peaceful resolution and international cooperation to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific.