Manila: Joint coast guard exercises between Japan, the United States, and the Philippines were held off Japan's southwest shore, emphasizing maritime unity amid growing concerns over Chinese activity in disputed regional waters. The exercises came on the heels of a warning about Beijing's territorial claims, which have been declared legally baseless by an international ruling.
According to France24.com, the drills, which featured helicopters and boats rescuing dummies from the sea, showcased coordination among the three nations. The 2,265-ton BRP Teresa Magbanua, provided to the Philippines by Japan through a loan agreement, was among the vessels participating. Typically, this vessel monitors Chinese boats in the South China Sea, a region marked by months of confrontations between China and the Philippines over contested waters.
Recent tensions escalated when Manila accused China of using a water cannon on its fisheries department boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The US Coast Guard participated with the cutter Stratton, capable of carrying up to 170 personnel, while Japan was represented by the 6,000-ton Asanagi. The exercises included a simulation of a person overboard, with a US drone deployed from the Stratton to scan the area, and a Philippine boat quickly rescuing the dummy.
Additional rescue scenarios involved a Japanese helicopter retrieving a human subject from the sea, with the exercises culminating in a simulated collision and fire, tackled by water cannons from all three coast guards. Japan Coast Guard official Naofumi Tsumura highlighted the trust and mutual understanding built through these exercises, emphasizing improved coordination and cooperation.
In a joint statement released in 2024, the three countries expressed serious concerns over China's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea and strong opposition to any unilateral changes to the status quo in the East China Sea. Tsumura acknowledged areas for improvement in future collaborations but noted the enhanced effectiveness in conducting maritime rescue operations.
