The Philippines, US, Australia and Japan held joint military drills as China continues to assert sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea. The allied nations participated in the 6th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea - the parts of the South China Sea within the 200-mile Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone - on 5.

American and Philippine warplanes flew together in a coordinated patrol and drill above the South China Sea, in the allies’ first joint maneuvers over contested waters since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office, Filipino officials said.

The Philippines and United States air forces conducted joint patrols over the South China Sea, specifically in the West Philippine Sea. This one-day exercise involved the participation of Philippine FA-50 fighter jets and U.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines during a call with his counterpart in Manila in the face of geopolitical tensions in South China Sea.

China has conducted military patrols in the South China Sea while the Philippines was holding joint naval drills with the U.S., Japan and Australia, saying Manila is undermining Beijing's claims in the region.