The Philippines concluded a five-day series of joint maritime exercises with the United States and Japan on July 25, 2026. The 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, which commenced on July 21, involved a coordinated deployment of warships, coast guard vessels, and both surveillance and fighter aircraft, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
During the operation, participating forces conducted advanced maritime interoperability drills, including communication exercises, replenishment at sea, and division tactics. The AFP stated that the activity reinforced the partnership among the nations in promoting regional security and stability. Furthermore, the military emphasized its commitment to protecting freedom of navigation and overflight, while actively deterring coercive and aggressive activities in the South China Sea. The exact location of these exercises was not disclosed.
These drills occurred against a backdrop of heightening tensions in the region, which coincide with the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling from the tribunal in The Hague. That ruling invalidated China’s “nine-dash line” claim, a decision Beijing continues to reject as “null and void.”
Recent confrontations include an incident on July 20 at Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine and Chinese personnel engaged in a physical altercation. Manila reported that a Filipino sailor sustained a head injury after being struck with a baton by China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel near the BRP Sierra Madre outpost. China accused the Philippines of attempting to ram its vessels and spreading propaganda.
Separately, on July 24 and 25, the Philippines accused the CCG of using water cannons against its vessels near Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the incident occurred during a mission to provide fuel and supplies to local fishing boats. The PCG stated that high-pressure water streams hit both PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels, with one Chinese ship coming within 7 meters of a BFAR boat, creating a serious risk of collision. PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela condemned the actions as dangerous and unprofessional, reiterating that Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.
In response, the CCG alleged that the Philippines organized a fleet of government and fishing vessels to “illegally gather” around the shoal, which China calls Huangyan Dao. Beijing claimed it took legal measures to block the vessels after they ignored warnings. The shoal, located approximately 200 kilometers from Luzon, has been under Chinese control since 2012, serving as a persistent flashpoint for maritime disputes.
The recent spike in friction has also complicated a provisional understanding reached in June 2024 to manage resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre. While Beijing accused Manila of violating this agreement during the July 20 standoff, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs maintained that the arrangement does not concede sovereignty or require permission for resupply missions, asserting that its position is supported by international law.
In this photo released by the Philippine military, Filipino sailors take part in the 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, a joint exercise with the United States and Japan, which took place in the South China Sea on July 21-25, 2026.
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