Philippines, U.S. begin joint troop exercises amid regional tensions

Ties between the long-term allies have warmed over shared concerns about China’s assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region, and on Tuesday, more than 17,000 Filipino and US soldiers launched their largest ever joint military drills.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has strengthened defense ties with China, as evidenced by the expansion of annual exercises after his predecessor reduced drills to pursue closer ties with Beijing.

During the three-week ‘Balikatan’ or’shoulder-to-shoulder’ exercises, the Philippines and the United States will conduct live-fire training at sea for the first time.

Major General Marvin Licudine, the Philippines’ exercise director, said in a speech at the opening ceremony that the highlight of the exercise would be a combined joint littoral live-fire exercise that aimed to practice joint and combined tactics, techniques, and procedures to execute a maritime strike.

On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry criticized the joint exercises, saying they “must not engage in South China Sea issues, still less undermine China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and security interests.”

After President Tsai Ing-wen met with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles, China ended three days of war games surrounding Taiwan, which included precise strikes and a blockade of the island.

Beijing claims Taiwan for itself, but the democratically ruled island is not interested in making peace.

The acting U.S. exercise director, Major General Eric Austin, has stated that the Balikatan exercises will guarantee that “we are prepared to respond collectively to real world issues.”

In an effort to improve relations with the United States, Filipino President Marcos opened up more of his country’s military outposts to the United States in February.

This week in Washington, the defense and foreign ministers of the two countries will meet for the first time in seven years.

Amphibious operations, aviation operations, cyber defense, urban operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian and disaster assistance training will all be a part of the nationwide drills.

A Philippine military official has stated that live-fire sea maneuvers involving the sinking of an aging Philippines navy ship will be witnessed by President Marcos.