ReutersEnrico Cruz
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Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana answer questions during a Reuters interview at the military headquarters of Camp Aquinaldo in Quezon city, metro Manila, Philippines February 9, 2017. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco/
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Philippine and U.S. soldiers will conduct a two-week joint military exercise from Monday, resuming the annual training event after last year s cancellation due to the pandemic, the Philippine military chief said on Sunday.
The announcement came after the two countries defence secretaries held a phone call to discuss the drills, the situation in the South China Sea, and recent regional security developments.
Unlike previous exercises, however, this year s Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) drills to test the readiness of their militaries to respond to threats such natural disasters and militant extremist attacks, will be scaled down.
South China Sea Conflict: Philippines Threatens China with Daily Protests
The Philippines is protesting against Chinese ships anchored at Whitsun Reef. (Image: Free-Photos via Pixabay)
Authorities from the Philippines have warned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that it will file daily diplomatic protests unless China removes the several dozen ships presently occupying Whitsun Reef, which is also known as Julian Felipe Reef in the Philippines. The reef is located within Manila’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The conflict began last month when approximately 220 Chinese ships moored at the Reef on March 7. They did not exhibit any signs of fishing activity. On March 22, Manila filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing over the issue.
Philippines, U S launch military drills amid South China Sea tensions msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Philippine and U.S. soldiers started two weeks of military exercises on Monday against a backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea, though the drills were reduced in scale due to the coronavirus pandemic.