FORT MAGSAYSAYSAY, Philippines : Philippine troops held live-fire exercises with their US counterparts in the Southeast Asian country's largest military camp as part of army-to- army drills aimed at enhancing Manila's defence capabilities against external threats.
The drills came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr decided in February to expand the United States' access to his country's military bases - a move that has angered China, which accuses Washington of stoking tensions in the region.
More than 3,000 Filipino and U.S. soldiers participated in the three week long annual exercises called Salaknib, which featured anti-tank and small-arms live-fire exercises and the firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Himars We are now transitioning from internal security operations to territorial defence operations, according to a news conference conducted by Philippine army training officer Lieutenant-Colonel Lt Col Tara Cayton.
One of the five existing sites the United States has access to under its Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement EDCA with Manila took place at Fort Magsaysay in Luzon, the country's largest island.
The United States can use the bases for joint training, pre-positioning equipment and building of facilities, such as runways, fuel storage and military housing, but not to maintain a permanent presence under that agreement.
Fort Magsaysay will host the biggest military drills between the Philippines and the United States next month, which highlight improved ties with the Western power under Marcos.
The annual Balikatan exercises, which will see 17,600 participants from both sides, including around 12,000 from the United States, come against the backdrop of what the Philippines calls aggressive Chinese actions in the South China Sea.