The majority of the drills are conducted in the nation’s western and northern regions, close to Taiwan and the South China Sea, two possible hotspots.
In light of China’s expanding influence in the area, joint military drills involving thousands of American and Filipino troops have begun in the Philippines.
The yearly exercises, known as “shoulder to shoulder” or Balikatan in Tagalog, will take place on Monday and will mostly focus on the northern and western regions of the country, which is an archipelago, close to Taiwan and the South China Sea, two possible hotspots.
Not only does China regard Taiwan as part of its territory, but it also claims practically the whole waterway, which is an important route for world trade.
“We intend to demonstrate to the people of the Philippines and the global community that we have improved and we will continue to do so,” stated Lieutenant General William Jurney, the commander of US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, during the inaugural event held in Manila.
“When we get better the Philippines gets stronger, safer and more secure.”
China’s foreign ministry responded by saying that the Philippines should “stop sliding down the wrong path” and accusing the US of “stoking military confrontation”.
boosting partnerships
The United States has been strengthening its ties with nations in the Asia-Pacific area, especially the Philippines, in reaction to China’s expanding influence.
As treaty friends, Washington and Manila have strengthened their defense collaboration since the election of Ferdinand Marcos as president of the Philippines in 2022.
Despite having little weaponry, the Philippines would be an important ally of the United States in the case of a conflict with China because of its closeness to Taiwan and the South China Sea.
“We really exist to prepare for war,” Philippine Colonel Michael Logico told reporters prior to the drills. “That is the purpose of the armed forces.”
“There’s no sugarcoating it… for us not to prepare, that’s a disservice to the country.”
14 nations will be watched
After multiple run-ins between its vessels and the China Coast Guard, which monitors reefs off the Philippine coast, the Philippine Coast Guard will finally join Balikatan.
The combined exercises simulate an armed takeover of an island in the Philippine province of Palawan, which is the closest significant landmass to the contentiously contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
Less than 300 kilometers (180 miles) from Taiwan, in the northern provinces of Cagayan and Batanes, the identical drill will take place.
Information warfare, marine security, and integrated air and missile defense will all be covered in additional training.
Approximately 11,000 American and 5,000 Filipino soldiers, together with Australian and French military personnel, will participate in the drills, which are scheduled to conclude on May 10.
As observers, fourteen nations from Asia and Europe will participate.
SOURCE: TRTWORLD
