U.S., Philippines and Japan Wrap Six-Day Drill Near Taiwan, Drawing Chinese Rebuke

Overview

• The trilateral operation ran for six days in the Bashi Channel and over the Batanes islands, concluding Thursday.
• The Philippine Army said the maneuvers demonstrated the partners’ ability to operate jointly in complex maritime environments.
• Activities included a live‑fire artillery drill by the guided‑missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna.
• Air operations took place over Philippine territory and territorial waters north of Luzon, with warships remaining west of the Batanes chain.
• This was the first MMCA event beyond the South China Sea, and China’s Southern Theater Command condemned the drills and announced separate routine patrols from Feb. 23–26, with no clashes reported.