Philippine Navy Enhances Maritime Security with ‘Surface Action Groups’

The Philippine Navy has initiated the deployment of ‘surface action groups,’ consisting of multiple naval vessels, to strengthen the protection of the nation’s maritime territories. This strategic shift, as explained by PN spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos in a recent interview with the Philippine News Agency, aims to enhance the Navy’s warfighting capabilities. Moving away from solo ship operations, the Navy now employs groups of warships to patrol and cover more extensive areas within Philippine jurisdiction. This approach is a key component of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), which focuses on safeguarding the country’s territories, including its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Captain Alcos expressed openness to integrating these ‘surface action groups’ into future maritime cooperative activities with the United States, including the annual ‘Balikatan’ exercises. The first maritime cooperative activity of the year between the Philippines and the United States took place on January 17-18 in the West Philippine Sea, specifically in the Palawan area.