US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba condemned China's "provocative activities" in the South China Sea, which is almost entirely claimed by Beijing.
"The two leaders reaffirmed their strong opposition to the PRC's illegal maritime claims, militarization of reclaimed features, and fraudulent activities in the South China Sea," according to a joint statement Friday after Trump and Ishiba met in Washington.
In Manila, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it is looking forward to joint exercises with the coast guard of the US, Japan, and Australia, similar to the sixth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) conducted recently with the naval forces of the three allies.
In the said MMCA, frigates, patrol ships, fighter jets, and search and rescue assets were deployed in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. The activity, which includes drills and interoperability exercises, showed a "collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific," according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
When asked if the PCG has plans for a similar exercise with other countries, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said he hopes there is, because it will be "an opportunity to engage with allies."
Tarriela recalled that the PCG and the coast guards of the US and Japan conducted a "trilateral maritime exercise" in 2023. According to the Japanese Embassy, coast guard officers went through "communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue, and passing exercises" in June 2023.
"I hope that the trilateral maritime exercise will be conducted this year," he said in an online media briefing on Friday.
When asked about President Marcos' statement on Thursday that the country's forces are "incapable" of expelling the ships of the China Coast Guard (CCG), particularly the 165-meter "monster ship," Tarriela said the President's statement could be an appeal to government officials, especially lawmakers, to support the modernization of the PCG.
He added that the PCG's 97-meter patrol ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, as well as other patrol vessels, were able to prevent the "monster ship" and other CCG ships from approaching the Luzon coast.
