US, Philippines hold joint naval drills in South China Sea

Navies of the United States and the Philippines have held joint drills in the South China Sea, a provocative move that likely attracts the irk of China which claims sovereignty over almost the entire waters.

In a statement, the Philippine Armed Forces announced that the maritime exercises by the two allies were held on Wednesday in the South China Sea, which overlaps with the waters claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.

The drills were conducted inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone, in the waters west of Palawan, featuring the USS Mobile (LCS 26) and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16), Manila's military added.

“The primary objective of this activity is to strengthen the interoperability and cooperative capabilities of the Philippine Navy and the United States Navy,” the Philippine Armed Forces claimed.

According to the statement, the naval drills included a communications check exercise, division tactics, officer-of-the-watch maneuver exercise, photographic exercise, and cross-deck exercise.

“These joint exercises with our ally are crucial in enhancing our naval capabilities and ensuring that we can effectively collaborate to safeguard our maritime interests,” Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Philippine military claims the joint drills are not directed at a particular country, but some of their main conflict scenarios are set in or near the contested waters.

China warns Philippines of ‘resolute’ response to any violation of bilateral deal on South China Sea

China has warned the US-backed Philippines of a ‘resolute’ response to any violation of a new bilateral deal on the South China Sea.

In November 2023, the two allies commenced collaborative maritime operations aimed at improving their military coordination amid escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea.

Earlier this year, China warned Manila against provocative actions in the waters after the China Coast Guard intercepted a foreign vessel that “tried to forcefully intrude” into its territorial waters. 

The longstanding territorial row between Beijing and Manila soared particularly under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with the Philippines pivoting back to the United States, which supports the country in its maritime dispute with China.

Although the US has no territorial claim over the waters or features, but regularly conducts patrols there, solely or jointly with the Philippines, angering China.

Washington has already pledged $500 million to boost Manila's military and coast guard.

Philippines, US kick off drills in disputed waters of South China Sea

The annual military drills will be extended for the first time into waters claimed by China.

Last month, Beijing and Manila reached a provisional agreement on resupplying missions to the Sierra Madre, a grounded Filipino ship, in the South China Sea.

The Philippines deliberately grounded the ship Sierra Madre on the reef of Ren’ai Jiao (aka Second Thomas Shoal) in 1999 to reinforce its claims over disputed waters surrounding it.

Since that time, Manila has kept a limited number of troops stationed on the vessel and at Second Thomas Shoal, where there have been recent outbreaks of violent clashes.

China and the Philippines have also agreed to collaborate on handling maritime disagreements and reducing tensions in the South China Sea, aiming to alleviate maritime disputes.

Beijing has warned that it will “respond resolutely” to the Philippines if Manila commits any violation of a recently-signed bilateral deal on the South China Sea.

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