The Philippines can expect Australia to join more maritime cooperative activities (MCA) in its waters, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu said, as she reiterates Canberra’s commitment to helping Manila bolster its maritime security.

“In terms of MCAs, you can expect to see more into the future. This is what we do when you have (a) very close defense cooperation relationship,” she said in a media reception at her residence over the weekend.

MCAs, conducted within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, are billed as a show of “collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific” between Manila and its partners.

In April and August, Australia participated in two separate joint sails with the naval forces of the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Canada.

These MCAs come in the wake of increased Chinese presence and incursions into the country’s jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, actions that several countries have repeatedly called out.

In the same reception, Yu reiterated that the situation in the South China Sea is a regional issue that nations like Australia have a stake in.

“You will notice that even many countries that are outside the region are passionate about this issue —it’s because the South China Sea is a very important international waterway for the whole world,” she said.

“Imagine if international law does not guide how the South China Sea can be used, and does not protect the right of countries to do freedom of navigation and overfly, you know, you’re running into some problems. So, this is not an issue just between the Philippines and China.”

Meanwhile, Yu hailed the recently signed Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan and the Philippines, saying it would also be instrumental in possible trilateral cooperation with other states.

“What that means in practice is that it will make cooperation much easier because there is a standard agreement,” she said.

“And all those countries that have those agreements amongst us, whether it’s trilateral or quadrilateral, it’s just going to make things so much easier and more seamless.”

On top of MCA participation, Australia has also included the Philippines in its flagship regional naval engagement activity the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2024, which focuses on boosting cooperation on disaster response and maritime law, among others. (PNA)