The Philippine Coast Guard is looking to expand its involvement in future US-Philippine naval exercises near the South China Sea, underscoring its intent to be more integrated into joint maritime operations, Manila’s armed forces said on Tuesday. It participated in joint naval exercises with the US near a contested shoal in the South China Sea earlier this week, the Philippine military said, marking a step toward greater interagency maritime coordination. The exercises, the 11th US-Philippines joint drill since 2023, took place near Scarborough Shoal, claimed by Manila as part of its exclusive economic zone but asserted by Beijing as Chinese territory.

Basilio, K. C. L. (2026, January 28). Philippine Coast Guard eyes bigger role in South China Sea military drills. BusinessWorld, p. S1/12.