Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 13 Apr 2021, 06:48 am Print
South China Sea Image: Wallpaper Access
Manila: The Philippine armed forces will hold joint exercises with hundreds of US soldiers over the next two weeks amid a conflict with China over the South China Sea issue, media reports said.
The annual war games between the military allies was cancelled last year due to COVID-19.
This year’s “Balikatan” (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) drills to test the readiness of their militaries to respond to threats such natural disasters and militant extremist attacks will be scaled down, Philippine military chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana told South China Morning Post.
About 700 US soldiers and up to 1,300 members of the Philippine military will take part – about a quarter of the usual attendance, Sobejana said.
“The exercise this year is a hybrid of virtual and physical activities,” he said.
- Russia claims drone attack on Putin’s residence, Zelenskyy rejects
- From Power to Prison to Legacy: Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, who was Hasina's bitter political rival, dies at 80
- From fear to fightback: Bangladesh Hindus launch party amid rising attacks, aim to win over 40 seats in general polls
- From street protests to power pact: Student-led NCP aligns with Islamist Jamaat ahead of high-voltage Bangladesh polls
- Bangladesh Police claim Hadi killers fled to India. All details here
-1763561110.jpg "Image of the day: November 19, 2025")
