Philippines Leads ADMM‑Plus Sail Near Disputed Bajo de Masinloc, China Absent

During a two‑day maritime exercise under the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting‑Plus (ADMM‑Plus) on 23 September 2026, the Philippine Navy’s flagship BRP Jose Rizal steered a flotilla of ten warships, including vessels from India, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, the United States, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippine BRP Tarlac. The drill was held in waters between Zambales and Bajo de Masinloc, a high‑tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone that China has controlled since 2012. China, a dialogue partner of ADMM‑Plus, did not participate, and several ASEAN members were absent from the sea phase, though they attended land‑based sessions. The Philippine Department of National Defense explained that the location was chosen through standard ADMM‑Plus planning, citing proximity to Subic Naval Operating Base for logistical support. It reaffirmed that Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of Philippine territory, a point that has been contested in the 2016 arbitral award. The exercise underscored the Philippines’ commitment to multilateral maritime cooperation while highlighting ongoing tensions over the South China Sea.