“In the South China Sea, the United States and Philippines conducted joint maritime exercises in on Friday”, said the Philippine military as it’s the most recent round of drills highlighting ongoing expansion of their defence ties.
Security sessions between the treaty allies have risen in the past year, at a time of tension in the South China Sea, where China and Philippines have traded blame over a spate of run-ins over territory.
This was the third time the former colonial ruler the United States and the Philippines have held joint exercises in the South China Sea since November last year, movements which have frustrated Beijing.
“This shows our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and encourage close cooperation towards enhancing our capabilities” said Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner.
China declares sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of commercial shipping annually, which includes parts of the economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
It has policed those claims with a coastguard fleet that the Philippines has accused of hostile intentions and actions that are against international law.
Comments