U.S. and Philippine forces, along with support from an Australian air force surveillance aircraft, conducted a series of military exercises on Wednesday, unleashing a barrage of precise rockets, artillery fire, and airstrikes. The culmination of these drills saw the sinking of a simulated enemy ship in the disputed South China Sea, a move that has drawn criticism from Beijing.
Military officials and diplomats from various countries witnessed the display of firepower from a vantage point overlooking the coast in Laoag City, situated in the northern province of Ilocos Norte, the home province of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The joint exercises, dubbed Balikatan, meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, involved over 16,000 military personnel from the United States and the Philippines, as well as a contingent of Australian troops and military observers from 14 nations. These annual drills, which commenced on April 22 and concluded on Friday, simulated a scenario of a foreign invasion of the Philippine archipelago.
The significance of these exercises underscores the deepening defense alliance between the United States and the Philippines, dating back to the 1950s. Recent years have seen heightened concerns over China’s assertive actions in disputed territories in Asia, prompting both nations to bolster their military cooperation.
President Marcos has directed the Philippine military to pivot its focus towards external defense, shifting away from decades-long domestic anti-insurgency operations, in response to China’s activities in the South China Sea. This strategic realignment aligns with efforts by U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific region as a counterbalance to China.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated, with China repeatedly harassing Philippine navy and coast guard ships in the disputed waters. These confrontations have resulted in minor collisions, causing injuries to Filipino navy personnel and damage to supply boats.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington, Jose Romualdez, expressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the country’s reliance on the United States and like-minded allies to address China’s aggressive behavior.
China, however, maintains that the Philippines initiated hostilities in the disputed waters by encroaching on what it claims as its offshore territories. Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling invalidating China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, China has rejected the verdict and continues to defy it.
The sinking of the mock enemy ship, following repeated missile strikes and bombings by U.S. and Philippine warplanes, symbolizes the assertive stance taken by both nations in response to China’s actions. The target vessel, originally from China, had been decommissioned by the Philippine navy in 2020 due to mechanical and electrical issues, according to Philippine military sources.
