2024-04-26 11:23:59
The US and the Philippines have launched annual military exercises Balikatan 2024 amid rising tensions in the South China Sea (SCS).
As Day.Az reports with reference to TASS, this was reported by the ABS-CBN News channel.
“The purpose of the military for which we exist is really to prepare for war. There is no need to sugarcoat <...>“If we don’t prepare, it will be a disservice to the country,” the channel quoted Balikatan 2024 spokesman Michael Logico as saying.
The Philippine soldier noted that for the first time the exercise will take place outside Philippine territorial waters, about 22 km from the Philippine coastline. ABS-CBN News also reported that the US has deployed SM-6 anti-aircraft guided missiles in the Philippines, but a Balikatan 2024 spokesperson indicated that the weapons will not be used during the exercise.
As the TV channel noted, for the first time the Philippine Coast Guard will join the maneuvers, during which the reaction to the armed seizure of the island in the province of Palawan, located near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the rights to which are disputed by China and the Philippines, as well as Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia, will be worked out. The exercise will take place in the northern Philippine provinces of Cagayan and Batanes, located less than 300 km from Taiwan. Balikatan 2024 participants will also practice information warfare tactics, maritime security, and integrated air and missile defense.
About 11 thousand American and about 5 thousand Filipino troops, as well as Australian and French troops, will take part in the exercises, which will last until May 10. 14 countries in Asia and Europe will join them as observers. The Philippines plans to invite Japan to participate in the Balikatan 2025 maneuvers.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a briefing on April 17 that China called on the Philippines to stop provocations in the South China Sea, and the United States to stop supporting confrontation in the region. He also stressed that the PRC “will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely defend its territorial sovereignty, <...> and also to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
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