The United States and Japan joined the Philippines in a series of maritime exercises in the South China Sea, as tensions between Manila and Beijing intensified following a series of confrontations in the disputed waters.
The five-day drills, held from July 21 to 25, involved warships, coast guard vessels, surveillance aircraft and fighter jets. According to the Philippine military, the exercises were designed to improve interoperability among the three allies.
The military said the operations highlighted the “enduring partnership” between the participating nations in promoting peace, stability and security across the Indo-Pacific region. The exact location of the exercises was not disclosed.
The drills are the latest in an expanding series of joint military activities involving the Philippines, the United States and Japan, as Manila seeks to counter China’s broad territorial claims in the South China Sea. Chinese navy and coast guard vessels have operated near previous exercises in the area.
The exercises began one day after the Philippines accused members of the Chinese Coast Guard of striking a Filipino sailor with a baton during an incident at the Second Thomas Shoal. China rejected the accusation, claiming Philippine vessels attacked first and rammed Chinese boats.
During the course of the drills, the Philippine Coast Guard also alleged that Chinese coast guard vessels used water cannons against Philippine government ships near Scarborough Shoal on both Thursday and Friday. Beijing said it had taken what it described as legal measures after Philippine vessels “insisted on intruding” into the area.
Separately, on Saturday, the Philippines’ newly appointed Armed Forces chief of staff, Antonio Nafarrete, visited the Philippine-controlled Thitu Island in the disputed Spratly Islands, around 300 miles (480 km) west of Palawan province.
Addressing troops stationed on the island, Nafarrete praised their role in protecting the outpost and pledged continued support to strengthen their operational capabilities.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea and continues to reject a 2016 international arbitral ruling that invalidated its territorial claims.
