TWO missile-equipped corvettes sailed from the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, Korea, this week and are expected to arrive at the Subic Shipyard on April 8 as part of a Philippine buildup of its maritime defense capabilities.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) and its sister ship, the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), would significantly enhance the country's naval capabilities amid growing security challenges in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Both ships are equipped with advanced weapons and radar systems, as part of the Philippine Navy's P28-billion modernization contract with HHI, signed in 2021.

The addition of these two 3,200-ton corvettes reinforces the Philippines' commitment to regional stability and defense cooperation with South Korea.

Corvettes are typically used as coastal patrol craft, missile boats and fast attack craft.

Meanwhile, the AFP, along with naval units of Japan and the United States, conducted another "multilateral maritime cooperative activity" (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Friday.

In a statement, the AFP said this latest MMCA aimed to enhance interoperability and strengthen the combined capabilities of the participating forces.

The Philippine contingent to the latest MMCA consisted of the guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), an AW-109 helicopter, a C-90 aircraft, and search-and-rescue assets of the Air Force.

Japan deployed the multi-mission frigate JS Noshiro (FFM-3) with the maritime helicopter SH-60K.

The US contributed the guided missile destroyer DDG Shoup (DDG-86), multi-mission naval helicopter MH-60R, and maritime patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon.

The activity consisted of various exercises, including communications check, rotary flight operations, maritime domain awareness and contact reporting, division tactics, personnel exchange and photo exercises.

"The MMCA continuously highlights the vital improvements in our coordination, tactics and shared maritime awareness. Every iteration strengthens our capacity to respond to maritime security challenges while reinforcing our collective ability to safeguard our national interests," AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

In a separate statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said Tokyo's participation reaffirms its commitment to promoting the "free and open use of the seas" with like-minded partners.

"Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States stand resolute in advancing the shared vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, reaffirming their shared commitment to a rules-based international order that promotes peace, security, and prosperity for all nations across the region," it said.

This 8th MMCA follows the inaugural port call of JS Noshiro at the Naval Operating Base Subic.

"The port visit and subsequent MMCA reflect Japan's strong commitment to maritime stability and security," the embassy said.

Amid the buildup of the country's defense capabilities, China accused the United States of inciting confrontation and escalating tensions in the South China Sea.

"Any cooperation between the US and the Philippines should not target or harm any third party, nor should it involve spreading unfounded accusations to incite confrontation and heighten tensions in the region," said Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

This statement was made in response to comments by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who emphasized that the US and the Philippines must stand together against the perceived threat posed by China.

During his Indo-Pacific tour, Hegseth met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, reaffirming the US administration's commitment to maintaining its "ironclad" alliance with the Philippines.

Guo Jiakun asserted that freedom of navigation and overflight has never been an issue in the South China Sea.

"Over the years, it has always been the US that has supported its allies' provocations, falsely labeling China as a 'threat' and claiming there are problems with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The US has continually deployed more military resources to the region, undermining peace and stability."

He urged the US to abandon its Cold War mentality, stop creating ideological confrontations, and refrain from sowing tension and discord among countries in the region.

He also called on the Philippines to avoid creating instability with US support and not to seek military confrontation.

China's claim to nearly the entire resource-rich South China Sea has emerged as a potential military flashpoint, prompting the Philippines to bolster military alliances and cooperation with both traditional and new partners.

Beijing's territorial claim in the South China Sea is represented by its so-called "nine-dash line," which has been rejected by an international court for over seven years.

China asserts ownership of the Second Thomas Shoal and nearly the entire sea based on this nine-dash line, which was highlighted in a recent version of its national map released in early 2023.

This map has raised concerns among Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, all of which have claims to the waters adjacent to their coastlines.

An international tribunal ruled in 2016 that there is no legal basis for China's claims as depicted on the map.

However, Beijing has ignored this decision and continues to insist on the legitimacy of the nine-dash line.