Philippines, US begin joint naval drills amid south China sea tensions
The US military has begun a two-week joint exercise with the Philippines and other international partners. The exercises, called Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama 2023, aim to address various threats including territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The event involves over 1,800 personnel from countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the US. The exercises will take place in the Philippine Naval Forces Southern Luzon area and are scheduled to continue until October 13th.
The US military started a two-week series of joint exercises with
Philippines and various international partners,
CNN reported.
These exercises come at a time of escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing due to territorial disputes in the
South China Sea .
Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama 2023 marks the seventh and most extensive iteration of these exercises. It includes participants from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the United States, and the Philippines, reported CNN quoting a US press
navy release.
“From territorial defense to countering transnational crimes, ‘Samasama’ [helps] us to face an array of threats together,” the chief of the Philippine Navy, Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr, was quoted by CNN as saying at the opening ceremonies in Manila.
Sama Sama involves over 1,800 personnel from the participating nations, including those aboard warships from the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada.
These exercises are scheduled to occur in the Philippine Naval Forces Southern Luzon area, with the headquarters located on the country's Pacific coast. This area is situated approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers) southeast of Manila and about 560 miles (900 kilometers) from the
Spratly Islands .
Sama Sama is slated to continue until 13th of october, CNN reported.