Filipino, American troops start war games in South China Sea | WPN World People News

Some 7,000 US and Filipino troops Monday began their annual 11-day military exercise on disputed South China Sea waters, amid a tense territorial dispute between Beijing and Manila.

But US and Philippine officials stressed that the drill, which involves mock combat operations, was not aimed at China, which has protested military exercises by American forces in the disputed region.

"The conduct of this annual event reflects the aspirations to further relations with our strategic ally, a commitment that has to be nurtured especially in the context of the evolving challenges in the region,'' Philippines' armed forces chief Jessie Dellosa said.

The Balikatan war game will, apart from focusing on humanitarian missions and disaster preparedness, also include combat maneuvers like mock retaking of an oil rig supposedly seized by terrorists near the South China Sea.

"It is imperative for our ground forces to sustain operational readiness, keeping in mind the critical times that we are in now," Dellosa said, opening the war games. "It is during these times that our alliances (between the US and Philippines) must be reaffirmed."

This will be the latest of annual exercises established by the USPhilippines Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951.

According to media reports, American presence in the event is larger than in previous years as President Barack Obama last year announced strategic shift of his troops to the Asia-Pacific region.

The South China Sea triggered regional military tension last year when China sent warships into the waters, also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Last week, another stand off was triggered when the Filipino navy stopped and boarded eight Chinese fishing vessels in Scarborough Shoal.

When US Marine Lt. Col. Curtis Hill was asked if China should be alarmed by the war drill, he responded, "There is no reason for anyone to feel threatened by us coming together, working through our inter-operabilities so we can better respond and help people across the region."

Source:The Asia News.Net