The Philippine military has launched two weeks of combat drills focused on simulating the seizure of an island in the disputed South China Sea. Over 3,000 personnel from the army, navy, and air force are participating in the exercises, which military officials assert are not aimed at any specific country.
China has been expanding its military presence and assertiveness in the South China Sea, where it claims nearly all territory, leading to heightened tensions and confrontations, particularly with the Philippines and Vietnam. Other nations involved in the territorial disputes include Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
Recently, Indonesia reported that its patrol ships successfully drove away a Chinese coast guard vessel that disrupted a survey being conducted by a state-owned energy company in disputed waters.
In the opening ceremony of the exercises, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated, “Our mission today is very clear: to prepare ourselves comprehensively to respond to any external threats that might challenge our sovereignty.”
The drills will feature live-fire exercises involving artillery, assault rifles, and beach landing simulations. Philippine army Col. Michael Logico mentioned that troops would practice taking control of an island but did not provide additional details.
When asked how China might react, Logico anticipated that Chinese forces would conduct surveillance from a distance but likely refrain from hostile actions. “They have a front seat to the exercise. They’ll watch, and we don’t mind,” he commented.
China has historically opposed such military drills in the South China Sea, especially when involving American or allied forces.
Amid ongoing tensions, the U.S. has sought to strengthen military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to better counter China’s influence and potential confrontations, including issues surrounding Taiwan.
Next year, U.S. and Philippine forces are scheduled to conduct their largest annual combat drills, called Balikatan (meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog), which are also expected to include maneuvers in contested areas of the South China Sea.
Credit: ABC News
