Quezon city: The Philippines is set to increase its maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) with various international allies this year, as announced by a senior official of the Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), highlighted the nation's commitment to defense diplomacy during a media briefing held at Camp Aguinaldo.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rear Admiral Trinidad emphasized the proactive stance of the Department of National Defense in fostering stronger maritime alliances. While specific countries involved in future MCAs are not disclosed for security considerations, Trinidad assured that updates will be provided as plans are finalized. The Philippines has observed a consistent upward trend in its collaborative maritime endeavors, with an increase from three MCAs in 2023 to 11 so far this year.

The participating nations in these activities include key allies such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan. Trinidad also noted behavioral changes in the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in response to scheduled MCAs. He observed that during such activities, there is a reduction in coercive and aggressive actions by the CCG and PLAN against Philippine vessels and aircraft, including those from the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Navy.