(UPDATE) THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the French Navy engaged in a maritime cooperative activity on Friday, marking the third consecutive week of such naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Chinese ships near the coast of Bolinao, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Philippine and French forces collaborated in a series of activities designed to enhance their interoperability, communication and defense capabilities, within the joint operational area of the Northern Luzon Command.

The exercise came after an aerial maritime patrol revealed the presence of about 50 Chinese militia ships near Ayungin Shoal and others near the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the hotly contested West Philippine Sea.

The existence of Chinese ships in KIG was noted following a meeting between US Navy commander Adm. Samuel Paparo and AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in Camp Aguinaldo Thursday.

Trinidad said Friday's exercise involved the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS15), C90 aircraft, two FA50s, and Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue units.

On the French side, the French Navy's aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle (R91), the frigate Europeenne Multi-Mission Destroyer Provence (D652), force supply vessel Jacques Chevallier (A725), air defense destroyer Forbin (D620), and Aquitaine-class frigate Alsace (D656) participated in the exercise.

The successive conduct of maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) with other countries underscores the growing international focus on maritime security in the West Philippine Sea and aims to strengthen interoperability and defense capabilities among ally and partner nations, Brawner said.

"Through joint maritime cooperative activities and collaborative efforts, the AFP seeks to build a stronger, more resilient defense system that is prepared to address the challenges of the modern security landscape," Brawner added.

The MCA took place a day after French naval ships berthed in Subic Bay and Manila ports Thursday.

Meanwhile, the PCG launched its own maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight over the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea and the coasts of Pangasinan and Zambales Saturday morning to monitor the movements of China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia vessels in these areas, PCG spokesman on the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a forum on Saturday.

The MDA flight, initiated upon the request of PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, is part of the government's ongoing efforts to reinforce sovereignty over Philippine waters.

Tarriela reported that during the mission, the PCG detected CCG vessel 5303 operating 50 nautical miles off the coast of Bolinao, Pangasinan, while two other Chinese ships were observed near Zambales.

To bolster maritime security, three PCG vessels have been deployed in these areas: the BRP Teresa Magbanua (9701), BRP Malapascua (MRB 4409), and BRP Cape Engaño (MRB 4410). Their presence ensures continuous surveillance of Chinese activities in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Tarriela said.

On Feb. 20, the PCG expanded its MDA flights to the Kalayaan Island Group, where it documented the presence of six Chinese maritime law enforcement vessels and more than 50 Chinese maritime militia ships near Ayungin Shoal.

Additionally, China Coast Guard vessel 5101 was detected patrolling the area.

During the same forum, Tarriela emphasized the importance of transparency regarding the WPS issue, a stance that has become increasingly evident under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He stressed that uniting Filipinos in defense of national sovereignty requires openness about the complexities surrounding the dispute.