US, PH hold first joint naval drills this year
THE navies of the United States and the Philippines held a joint maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea on Friday amid growing concerns over the persistent presence of the China Coast Guard's (CCG) biggest ship close to the Philippine coastline. The two-day Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) was held a day after US Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the State Department, warned Beijing of aggressive actions in the South China Sea. "The actions they are taking now are deeply destabilizing; they are forcing us to take counteractions because we have commitments to the Philippines and we have commitments to Taiwan that we intend to keep," said Rubio during his confirmation hearing at the Senate. He warned China to "stop messing around" with the Philippines and Taiwan, saying its "deeply destabilizing" actions compel the US to "counteract." The CCG 5901, dubbed as the "monster ship," has been sailing close to the coast of Zambales for nearly two weeks. The vessel is being shadowed by the Philippine Coast Guard's Teresa Magbanua and Melchora Aquino. The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed another diplomatic protest against China over the illegal presence of CCG 5901. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad did not reveal the exact areas where the exercise took place. It was the first joint naval drill for the two allies this year, and the fifth since China launched aggressive and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels on resupply missions to the derelict BRP Sierra Madre, which had been deliberately beached at Ayungin Shoal and converted into a remote military outpost. Joining the latest MCA were the Philippine Navy ships Antonio Luna and Andres Bonifacio, two FA50 fighter planes, and Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue aircraft. Making up the US contingent were the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, USS Princeton, USS Sterett, an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, a V-22 Osprey helicopter and two F-18 Hornet fighter jets. The participants conducted a Communications Check Exercise, Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch maneuver, a photo exercise and dissimilar aircraft combat training. "This MCA is a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead," Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE navies of the United States and the Philippines held a joint maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea on Friday amid growing concerns over the persistent presence of the China Coast Guard's (CCG) biggest ship close to the Philippine coastline.
The two-day Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) was held a day after US Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the State Department, warned Beijing of aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
"The actions they are taking now are deeply destabilizing; they are forcing us to take counteractions because we have commitments to the Philippines and we have commitments to Taiwan that we intend to keep," said Rubio during his confirmation hearing at the Senate.
He warned China to "stop messing around" with the Philippines and Taiwan, saying its "deeply destabilizing" actions compel the US to "counteract."
The CCG 5901, dubbed as the "monster ship," has been sailing close to the coast of Zambales for nearly two weeks.
The vessel is being shadowed by the Philippine Coast Guard's Teresa Magbanua and Melchora Aquino.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed another diplomatic protest against China over the illegal presence of CCG 5901.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad did not reveal the exact areas where the exercise took place. It was the first joint naval drill for the two allies this year, and the fifth since China launched aggressive and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels on resupply missions to the derelict BRP Sierra Madre, which had been deliberately beached at Ayungin Shoal and converted into a remote military outpost.
Joining the latest MCA were the Philippine Navy ships Antonio Luna and Andres Bonifacio, two FA50 fighter planes, and Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue aircraft.
Making up the US contingent were the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, USS Princeton, USS Sterett, an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, a V-22 Osprey helicopter and two F-18 Hornet fighter jets.
The participants conducted a Communications Check Exercise, Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch maneuver, a photo exercise and dissimilar aircraft combat training.
"This MCA is a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead," Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement.
