Manila, March 29 || The Philippines, Japan, and the United States conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone, demonstrating a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
This maritime cooperation was conducted on Friday amid looming threats and the growing assertiveness of China in the region, according to media reports.
MCAs are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety and navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.
The US, along with its allies and partners, uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to freedom, the US Navy said in an official statement.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also stated that the multilateral MCA continuously highlights the vital improvements in coordination, tactics, and shared maritime awareness, the state-run Philippine news agency PNA reported.
"Every iteration strengthens our capacity to respond to maritime security challenges while reinforcing our collective ability to safeguard our national interests," the armed forces said.
The Embassy of Tokyo in the Philippines, in a statement, said that by engaging with "like-minded partners," Japan continues to reaffirm strategic ties and advance cooperation in safeguarding the free and open use of the seas.