Philippines, US begin joint maritime drills after Chinese carrier group spotted

US and Philippine soldiers salute as their national anthems are played during the opening ceremony of the annual US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at camp Aguinaldo in Manila on April 21, 2025. The Balikatan drills have grown in scale and complexity in recent years. - AFP

MANILA: The Philippine Navy said a Chinese aircraft carrier battle group had passed near its northern maritime boundaries in the run-up to a six-day maritime exercise with the US that began on Thursday (April 24) as part of their annual Balikatan military drills.

The coordinated naval drills, focused on enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness and regional security, would be carried out within Philippine waters, spanning from the vicinity of Subic Bay up to the Northern Luzon, the Philippine military said.