Philippine and US soldiers have begun their largest-ever joint military drills, with over 17,000 troops participating in the exercises.
The move underscores the improved defense ties between the two countries under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, following a period of scaling back of drills by his predecessor to pursue closer ties with Beijing.
The exercises come as the Philippines and the US share concerns about China’s increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.
For the first time in the exercises’ history, the Philippines and the US will conduct live-fire drills at sea during the three-week event known as the ‘Balikatan’ or ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ exercises.
The highlight of the exercise will be the combined joint littoral live-fire exercise, which aims to rehearse joint and combined tactics, techniques, and procedures to execute maritime strikes.
China’s foreign ministry has criticized the joint exercises, saying that they “must not interfere in South China Sea disputes, still less harm China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and security interests.”
The drills come as China ended three days of war games around Taiwan, which included precision strikes and blockading the island after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory, while the democratically governed island rejects its claims.
The Balikatan exercises will ensure “we are prepared to respond to real-world challenges together,” said Major General Eric Austin, acting US exercise director.
The drills will also include training in amphibious operations, aviation operations, cyber defense, urban operations, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian and disaster relief.
President Marcos is expected to witness the live-fire sea drills which will involve the sinking of an old Philippines navy ship, according to a Philippine military official.
U.S.-Philippines relations have improved considerably under President Marcos, who in February granted Washington increased access to his country’s military bases.
The countries’ defense and foreign ministers are due to meet for the first time in seven years in Washington this week.
