The Philippines and the United States are poised to hold the largest joint military drills in years to enhance readiness in the face of threats, according to the army chief.
The “Balikatan” exercise last year was the largest since 2015, with a combined 8,900 troops from both countries, but army commander Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the number of participants would even be bigger this year.
The joint drills are set amid rising tensions with Beijing over the West Philippine Sea, with reports ofThe most recent encounter was the supposed use by a Chinese vessel of a military-grade laser at a Philippine coast guard ship near the disputed Ayungin Shoal, temporarily blinding crew members.aiming a laser, claiming it only used a hand-held green light pointer that “does not inflict damage” supposedly to ensure navigation safety.
He said the activities will be held throughout the country, including in traditional exercise areas such as Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and camps in Tarlac.
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