PH, US hold maritime exercise in West PH Sea

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States held maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea.

The drills, which were part of this year’s Exercise SAMASAMA (together), were conducted on Oct. 14.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the activities were combined anti-submarine exercise and joint and combined patrol, search and rescue exercises, and shipboard casualty care drills.

“The ongoing sea phase of SAMASAMA 2024 underscores the shared objective of both the Philippines and the United States to address maritime security challenges through cooperation and joint operations,” the AFP said in a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and other allied navies will also join in other exercises, intensifying the commitment to the Indo-Pacific region’s peace and stability, it said.

The AFP said Exercise SAMASAMA “represents the continuing evolution of bilateral maritime exercises.”