As part of the recent combined naval deployment between Indian and Philippine military vessels, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) conducted exercises and patrols in the South China Sea during the first days of August. According to a spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command, the operations — carried out in coordination with the Chinese Coast Guard — were described as “routine patrols,” although their timing coincided directly with the presence of Indian and Philippine warships in a region marked by high geopolitical tensions.
A week earlier, the Indian and Philippine navies met in Manila to conduct their first joint drills, titled “Maritime Cooperative Activities,” in waters under Philippine jurisdiction. These activities aimed to strengthen bilateral relations in maritime security and, in particular, deepen strategic ties between the two countries in response to the growing military presence of the PLAN in the region.
The maneuvers included interoperability operations, joint tactical training, coordinated patrols, and real-time communication exercises, with the goal of enhancing both navies’ ability to respond to contingencies in contested maritime scenarios.
The Indian Navy took part with the INS Delhi (D61), a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer; the INS Kolkata (D63), a Kolkata-class destroyer; and the replenishment ship INS Shakti. The Philippine Navy was represented by the frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06).
However, this deployment did not go unmonitored by the country currently involved in a simmering conflict with the Philippines, marked by sovereignty claims and military activity along disputed maritime boundaries. According to local sources, the Asian giant deployed two warships from its navy, as well as coast guard units, to assert its presence in response to the activities conducted by India and the Philippines.
China also increased its presence around Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), where it carried out military exercises and law enforcement patrols over the disputed maritime area during the past week.
This was confirmed on August 4 by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Romeo Brawner, who stated that the units involved in the joint activities were followed by unidentified vessels, presumably from Chinese naval forces — marking another episode in the recurring pattern of Chinese surveillance near areas claimed by Manila.
Lastly, it is important to note that this first combined exercise is part of a broader initiative aimed at aligning defense strategies among Indo-Pacific nations that share common interests in preserving freedom of navigation and upholding international law in disputed regions. In the same context, the joint patrol coincided with the official visit of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to New Delhi, where, together with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership with concrete commitments in defense and maritime security.
During his stay, Marcos warned that the Philippines could be drawn into a potential conflict between China and the United States over Taiwan, given the geographical proximity and strategic interests at stake. The statement prompted an immediate response from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which warned Manila of the risks of “playing with fire” and urged adherence to the One China principle.
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