Philippines, Feb. 10 -- The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) will participate in the next multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea.

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman made the announcement during a reception after the HMCS Ottawa made a port call in Manila on Feb. 7.

The same vessel, he said, will join the 7th Philippine-led MCCA within the country's exclusive economic zone as it departs Manila this week.

"At every opportunity we have worked with the Philippines Navy and partners to undertake multilateral maritime cooperative activities," he said.

"We committed to reinforce our diplomatic presence across the Indo-Pacific. Nowhere is that more evident than here in the Philippines."

The la...