LAOAG, Philippines — US and Filipino troops fired missiles and artillery at an imaginary "invasion" force during war games on the Philippines' northern coast Monday, days after their governments objected to China's "dangerous" actions in regional waters. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Just last week, Manila said the China Coast Guard damaged a Philippine Coast Guard ship and another government vessel in water cannon attacks around the disputed China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on April 30. The ministers "discussed opportunities to further advance defence cooperation" and to "work together to support states exercising their rights and freedoms in the South China Sea". The US Marine Corps said the manoeuvre was a rehearsal for the rapid deployment of the missile system across the Philippines' South China Sea coast to "secure and protect Philippines' maritime terrain, territorial waters and exclusive economic zone interests".

Source: Philippine Star May 07, 2024 00:18 UTC