The Philippines and the US kick off their largest-ever war games

Philippines Exercise Director Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan and U.S. Exercise Director Major General Jay Bargeron unfurl the Balikatan flag, during the opening ceremony of the joint military exercises, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Monday, March 28, 2022. - Reuters

MANILA, March 28, 2022 (AFP): Ron Lopez and Mikhail Flores The Philippines and the United States launched the largest-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation on Monday, signalling deepening defence ties as fresh tensions surface in the disputed South China Sea.

The war games are the last under outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, who previously threatened to cancel exercises and axe a key military deal with longtime ally the United States as he pivoted towards China.