The exercises underscore improved ties with the United States
under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and come as the
Philippines condemns China's "aggressive" actions in the
disputed waterway, including its use of a "military-grade laser"
against one of Manila's vessels earlier this month.
The annual 'Balikatan' exercises will be conducted in the second
quarter and involve more than the previous year's 8,900 troops,
army chief Romeo Brawner told reporters.
"All of these exercises that we are doing are in response to all
types of threats that we may be facing in the future, both
man-made and natural," Brawner said.
President Marcos on Tuesday summoned China's ambassador to
express "serious concern" over the intensity and frequency of
China's activities in the South China Sea, most of which China
claims as its territory.
China's use of a laser against a Philippine vessel on Feb. 6,
which its foreign ministry insists was legal, has sparked
expressions of concerns and support from Australia, Japan, and
the United States.
Washington "will redouble its efforts with our Philippine ally"
to bolster the Philippine military and coast guard's defence
capabilities "as we work shoulder-to-shoulder to uphold the
rules-based international order," Pentagon spokesperson
Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said on Twitter.
The Philippines has granted Washington greater access to its
military bases as part of the latter's efforts to deter China's
increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and tension over
self-ruled Taiwan.
In 2015, more than 11,000 troops from both countries
participated in the joint military exercises.
"The exercises will involve a myriad of activities, not just
focused on developing the war fighting capability of both armed
forces, but also of the other non-traditional roles such as
humanitarian assistance and disaster response," Brawner said.
(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
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