Philippine and American forces are taking part in 12-day maneuvers on the island of Luzon, the country’s largest. These exercises take place in a context of renewed tensions in the South China Sea.
Balikatan is the name of the operation supposed to bear witness to ” the deepening of the alliance between the United States and the Philippines, said General Andres Centino, the head of the Philippine armed forces. 9,000 Filipino and American servicemen take part.
These exercises are the last to take place under the chairmanship of Rodrigo Duterte who announced he would not run for president in 2022. They will include amphibious operations, live-fire training and will focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
These maneuvers aim to anticipate a possible conflict in the South China Sea, a crucial crossroads for world trade. This area is claimed by China but also by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam or Brunei.
In February 2020, the Philippine president announced his intention to end the military treaty that unites his country with the United States, but reversed this decision in July of the same year when tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea escalatedt.
In 2021, tensions around this sea rich in natural resources have experienced a marked upsurge. The Philippines regularly denounces China’s presence in the South China Sea.
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(with agencies)