The Armed Forces of the Philippines denied monitoring any Chinese bomber formations in the West Philippine Sea during last week’s joint maritime drills with the United States and Japan, refuting claims made by Chinese state media.
The AFP said no such activity was detected in its maritime domain as the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) took place from November 14 to 15.
The exercises involved major naval assets from the Philippines, the US, and Japan, featuring anti-submarine warfare, cross-deck operations, and maritime domain awareness training.
China criticized the joint drills as “provocations” and accused Manila of colluding with external forces, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling rejecting Beijing’s expansive claims.
The AFP said the MMCA demonstrates the country’s commitment to defending its sovereign rights and boosting deterrence through stronger security partnerships.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 19, 2025
