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Athens · Sunday, 25 October 2026

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The Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Suluan sails ahead of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bertholf and the Japanese destroyer JS Kirisame at sea

Asia-Pacific

Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. Coast Guard hold the 14th Maritime Cooperative Activity of 2026 in the Philippine EEZ

Ships and aircraft from the Philippines, Japan and the U.S. Coast Guard completed a five-day Maritime Cooperative Activity inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, the 14th of 2026.

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2 min read

Courtesy photo via DVIDS (public domain)

Philippine, Japanese and U.S. Coast Guard ships and aircraft have completed a five-day multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, the 14th such activity of 2026, according to a release published on 24 October through the U.S. military’s DVIDS service.

The release says the participants worked on maritime domain awareness, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and on refining shared procedures and maritime doctrine. It describes the activity as consistent with international law and with respect for the safety, navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.

Who took part

The Philippine contingent included the Philippine Navy guided-missile frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG 07), the Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Suluan (MRRV 4406), and a Philippine Air Force AW159 Wildcat helicopter and C208 Caravan aircraft. Japan sent the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Kirisame (DD 104), and the United States was represented by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750).

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A photograph released with the announcement, dated 23 October, shows BRP Suluan, USCGC Bertholf and JS Kirisame sailing in formation. The release itself gives 24 October as the date of the activity, so the exact calendar days of the five-day period are not stated.

Why it matters

The stated agenda places maritime law enforcement and search and rescue alongside naval procedures, and coast guard vessels from two of the three participating nations sailed with a Philippine frigate and a Japanese destroyer. The release does not name any third country and does not mention China.

Geopolitiki reported on 17 October on tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea in Philippines: Marcos to summon Chinese ambassador over “if we wanted to use force, we would win easily” – Beijing warns on the South China Sea.

The release says the U.S. 7th Fleet regularly operates with allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific. It gives no date for the next activity.

Coast Guard Japan Military exercises Philippines South China Sea United States

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