U.S., Japanese, and Philippines forces completed a five-day maritime exercise in the South China Sea on July 25, a day after an attack in disputed waters intensified tensions between the Filipino government and Chinese communist regime.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday that the joint drills included working together on communication exercises, division tactics, cross-deck landing, and fly-by operations.
The efforts help “the enduring partnership among the partner nations in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region,” the Philippines Armed Forces (AFP) wrote in a statement on July 26.
“It likewise reflects the AFP’s continuing commitment in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight while deterring illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities in the West Philippine Sea,” it added….