US, Philippines kick off largest-ever war games

Patched and ready: A US soldier putting on a patch during the opening ceremony of the war games in Quezon City. — Reuters

THE Philippines and the United States launched the largest-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation, signalling deepening defence ties.

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.

Nearly 9,000 Filipino and American soldiers will take part in the 12-day training event across Luzon, which is usually an annual affair but was cancelled or curtailed during the pandemic.

Philippine military chief General Andres Centino said at the opening ceremony in Manila that the largest round of the Balikatan war games reflected the “deepening alliance” between the two countries.

US Major General Jay Bargeron said the “friendship and trust” between their respective armed forces would allow them to “succeed together across the entire spectrum of military operations”. — AFP