Manila, Sept. 14 -- The Philippines, United States, and Japan have completed another round of joint maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), reaffirming defense cooperation as tensions rise over China's moves to tighten its grip on contested waters.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the 11th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) was held Sept. 12 to 13 in the waters off Magalawa Island, Palauig to Silanguin Island, San Antonio, Zambales, marking the second such exercise this month alone.

It followed Beijing's announcement that it intends to establish a marine reserve in Scarborough Shoal, an area well within Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Philippine government has filed a diplomatic protest...