Philippines and US to hold biggest war games in years

The Philippines has granted Washington greater access to its military bases as part of the latter’s efforts to deter China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. - AFP

MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines and the United States will this year carry out their biggest joint military drills since 2015, Manila’s army chief said on Wednesday (Feb 15), against a backdrop of growing tensions with China in the South China Sea.

The exercises underscore improved ties with the US under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and come as the Philippines condemns China’s “aggressive” actions in the disputed waterway, including its use of a “military-grade laser” against one of Manila’s vessels earlier this month.