Philippine and US forces conduct joint military exercises

Manila, Philippines: Thousands of Philippine and US troops began joint military exercises in the Philippines on Monday, highlighting concerns over Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the region.

The annual exercises, known as Balikatan or “shoulder to shoulder” in Tagalog, will focus on areas in the northern and western parts of the Philippines, near potential flashpoints between China and Taiwan.

China’s extensive claims to the region, a crucial international trade route, and its assertion of sovereignty over Taiwan have increased tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are going to show the people of the Philippines and the world that we have gotten better and we will never stop,” Lt. Gen. William Jurney, commander of US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, said at the news conference. opening ceremony in Manila. “As we improve, the Philippines will become stronger, safer and more secure.”

Amid China’s rising influence, the United States has strengthened its alliances with countries in the Asia-Pacific, including the Philippines. Washington and Manila have deepened their defense cooperation since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos came to power in 2022.

The Philippine Coast Guard is participating in Balikatan for the first time after several incidents between its ships and the Chinese Coast Guard, which patrols the reefs off the Philippine coast.

The combined training will simulate armed recapture operations on an island in Palawan province, the largest landmass in the Philippines closest to the disputed Spratly Islands. Similar exercises will take place less than 300 kilometers from Taiwan, in the northern provinces of Cagayan and Batanes.

In addition, the exercises will cover information warfare, maritime security and integrated air and missile defense.

Although the United States has deployed Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) guided missiles to the Philippines for Balikatan, Philippine Colonel Michael Logico stressed that these weapons will not be used during the exercises.

China’s Foreign Ministry has warned the Philippines against “going down the wrong path” and accused the US of “fomenting military confrontation.”

The exercises, scheduled until May 10, involve about 11,000 American and 5,000 Philippine troops, along with Australian and French military personnel. France, participating for the first time in Balikatan, will deploy a warship for joint exercises with Philippine and American ships.

Fourteen countries from Asia and Europe will participate as observers.

General Romeo Brawner, Philippine military chief, described Balikatan as an “extraordinary opportunity” to strengthen cooperation with friends, partners and allies, emphasizing the crucial role of cooperation in ensuring global security.

“Cooperation and military-to-military cooperation play a critical role in ensuring a more secure global community for generations to come,” Brawner added.