New Philippine Frigate Takes Part in US Drills Amid South China Sea Tensions.

Amid growing tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine and American naval forces carried out a new bilateral exercise off the coast of Zambales on June 4, 2025. This training, the seventh under the Maritime Cooperation Activity (MCA) framework, aimed to enhance operational coordination at sea and reaffirm the Philippines’ sovereignty over its claimed waters in the West Philippine Sea.
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On the Philippine side, the Navy deployed the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), the patrol vessel BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), and an AW-109 helicopter (Picture source: Wikicommons)

Conducted from the Subic Naval Base, the exercise enabled both navies to test a series of procedures, including communications checks, fire support rehearsals, maritime domain awareness reporting, and divisional tactical maneuvers. No live fire was involved, and the entire sequence was framed within a defensive posture focused on protecting vital installations and asserting the Philippines' sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone.

On the Philippine side, the Navy deployed the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), the patrol vessel BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), and an AW-109 helicopter. The US contingent included a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft and a shore-based team from the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment. Although both sides operated in the same maritime area, no formal rendezvous between ships took place. The Miguel Malvar remained at sea throughout the activity.

This exercise also marked the first operational deployment of the BRP Miguel Malvar, the latest addition to the Philippine Navy. The frigate, launched in South Korea in June 2024 and delivered in April 2025, replaces an older vessel dating back to World War II, which was decommissioned in 2021. The Miguel Malvar is configured to address modern threats, including anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare. It is equipped with a 76 mm naval gun with an eight-nautical-mile range and surface-to-surface missiles with a reach of 97 nautical miles. Its radar and optical sensors are part of the Navy’s broader modernization plan.

According to Captain Paul Michael Hechanova, commanding officer of the Miguel Malvar, the exercise provided an opportunity to test the ship’s combat system in near-operational conditions, without actual weapons fire. He noted that the scenario was strategically defensive, aligned with national sovereignty objectives.

During the drills, around 2:00 p.m., a Chinese navy vessel was spotted approximately eight to ten nautical miles from the Miguel Malvar. No unusual activity was observed. The Philippine ship maintained radar tracking, and the Chinese vessel’s helicopter did not approach the exercise area. Captain Hechanova stated that such sightings are common in the region and are routinely reported to higher authorities.

This series of joint exercises reflects ongoing Philippine-US efforts to uphold freedom of navigation and regional stability in the South China Sea. It also represents a key step in operationalizing the Philippine Navy’s new equipment. With its updated capabilities, the BRP Miguel Malvar now plays a frontline role in the country’s maritime defense, operating in a strategically sensitive and contested zone.