The Philippines and the United States will this yr perform their greatest joint navy drills since 2015, Manila’s military chief stated on Wednesday, in opposition to a backdrop of rising tensions with China within the South China Sea.
The workouts underscore improved ties with the United States underneath President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and are available because the Philippines condemns China’s “aggressive” actions within the disputed waterway, together with its use of a “military-grade laser” in opposition to considered one of Manila’s vessels earlier this month.
The annual ‘Balikatan’ workouts might be performed within the second quarter and contain greater than the earlier yr’s 8,900 troops, military chief Romeo Brawner advised reporters.
“All of these exercises that we are doing are in response to all types of threats that we may be facing in the future, both man-made and natural,” Brawner stated.
President Marcos on Tuesday summoned China’s ambassador to precise “serious concern” over the depth and frequency of China’s actions within the South China Sea, most of which China claims as its territory.
China’s use of a laser in opposition to a Philippine vessel on Feb. 6, which its overseas ministry insists was authorized, has sparked expressions of issues and help from Australia, Japan, and the United States.
Washington “will redouble its efforts with our Philippine ally” to bolster the Philippine navy and coast guard’s protection capabilities “as we work shoulder-to-shoulder to uphold the rules-based international order,” Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder stated on Twitter.
The Philippines has granted Washington better entry to its navy bases as a part of the latter’s efforts to discourage China’s growing assertiveness within the South China Sea and pressure over self-ruled Taiwan.
In 2015, greater than 11,000 troops from each international locations participated within the joint navy workouts.
“The exercises will involve a myriad of activities, not just focused on developing the war fighting capability of both armed forces, but also of the other non-traditional roles such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” Brawner stated. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
