Philippine forces practised retaking an island in the South China Sea Wednesday in the first such combat exercise in the disputed waters as Chinese navy ships kept watch from a distance, the Philippine military chief said.
Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who witnessed the drills from a navy frigate, said the exercise underscored the readiness of Filipino forces to defend the country's sovereignty at all costs.
"We are warning our neighbors or whoever or any external forces that we are capable of defending our islands,” Brawner said
There were no immediate comments from Chinese officials, but they have opposed past war drills in the South China Sea.
The long-seething territorial disputes that also involve other claimants are a delicate fault line in the U.S.-China rivalry.
The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines and Vietnam, though the Chinese coast guard has had recent territorial tiffs with Indonesia and Malaysia.
Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who witnessed the drills from a navy frigate, said the exercise underscored the readiness of Filipino forces to defend the country's sovereignty at all costs.
"We are warning our neighbors or whoever or any external forces that we are capable of defending our islands,” Brawner said
There were no immediate comments from Chinese officials, but they have opposed past war drills in the South China Sea.
The long-seething territorial disputes that also involve other claimants are a delicate fault line in the U.S.-China rivalry.
The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines and Vietnam, though the Chinese coast guard has had recent territorial tiffs with Indonesia and Malaysia.
1 yr. ago
