Philippines, US to start joint military drills
Iran Press TV
Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:54AM GMT
The Philippines and the United States are to start joint military drills near the disputed South China Sea waters.
The joint Philippines-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) is slated to begin on September 18 at a naval base in Zmabale Province in the western coast of Luzon island.
Some 2,300 American and Filipino marines are to take part in the annual military exercise, which will last three weeks.
The drills came as the allies are laying the groundwork for expanding the presence of US forces in the Philippines, a move which could fuel the current tensions with China.
Tensions between the Philippines and China started on April 8, 2012 following a naval standoff between the two countries in the South China Sea over the region's shoal, which both sides claim as their territory.
China has time and again criticized the Philippines for refusing to stop the territorial dispute and seeking to expand US military presence in the region.
MM/HN/HJL
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