US, Philippines Launch Military Drills Amid Tensions
Local Editor
More than 5,000 troops from the United States and the Philippines launched a joint military drill amid increasing tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial claims, according to Reuters on Monday.
The American and Philippine forces launched the 10-day exercise on Monday, dubbed as Balikatan [Shoulder to Shoulder], to prepare to deal jointly with any potential crisis in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, both American and Philippine military officials said Balikiton, the largest of several military drills the two countries stage annually, will concentrate on maritime security and disaster response.
The drill was set to be held in military camps in the northern and western Philippines, according to a Philippine military statement.
It includes maritime surveillance exercises, live-fire drills, training on handling bombs and "mass casualty response."
The exercise comes as tensions between China and the Philippines have been increasing over maritime and territorial disputes in recent months.
The US and the Philippines recently signed an accord that would give the American military greater access to bases across the Philippines.
Beijing has already demanded that Washington stay out of regional disputes.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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