Chinese navy shadows PH, allies during sea drill

CHINESE navy vessels monitored the joint maritime exercise of the Philippines with its allies Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday. AFP spokesman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military monitored People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels in the vicinity of the exercise on Saturday. Padilla said the multilateral maritime cooperative activity or MMCA "proceeded as planned without any interference, and the safety of participating countries' vessels was ensured by the protocols in place." "While there were observations of PLAN vessels tailing during the MMCA, no reports were received regarding the conduct of the alleged Chinese military exercise," she said. It was the fourth MMCA in the West Philippine Sea. The first, carried out by the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, was held within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in April. The Royal Canadian Navy joined the second in June and the third in August. Padilla said the AFP views the MMCA as a "pivotal demonstration of international cooperation, strengthening partnerships and enhancing the capabilities of allied nations." "This collaborative approach is essential in maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment in the region," she said. The exercise is vital to the country's Maritime Security Operations, particularly in strengthening Philippine presence in the West Philippine Sea, Padilla said.