2023-10-02 13:52:32
(Archyde.com, Manila, 2nd) This year’s “Together Together” joint exercise between the United States and the Philippine Navy, hosted by the Philippines, kicked off today on Luzon Island. The United Kingdom, Canada and Japan also sent troops to participate. At a time when tensions between the Philippines and China are rising, this two-week military exercise is like “flexing muscles.”
This year’s “Sama Sama” military exercise was launched in the southern waters of Luzon Island, with more than 1,800 troops participating, as well as two ships dispatched by the United States and one ship each from the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. Join the exercise that lasts until the 13th. The navies of Australia, France, Indonesia and New Zealand also sent observers and experts to participate.
China was only discovered in September that it had erected a floating barrier on the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea it controls in an attempt to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering Asia’s most disputed island. The Philippine Coast Guard took the initiative to dismantle the barrier on September 25, and there was no confrontation between the two sides.
The Philippine Navy stated that the main scope of this year’s exercises include anti-submarine warfare, air defense and search and rescue.
“Such a show of force and active engagement with our allies and partners makes ‘Together’ more than a mere military exercise,” Philippine Navy Commander Toribio Adaci said at the opening ceremony.
He also said: “This is a symbol of our enduring partnership and our shared commitment to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Lieutenant General Karl Thomas, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said in his speech: “Let all countries have the right to sail and operate in the West Philippine Sea without… being coerced and free from being Intimidation, this is very important.” The West Philippine Sea is the part of the South China Sea that the Philippines claims sovereignty over, and is roughly within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
He also said: “I am confident that no potential aggressor will have any illusions that this is not a strong national team, not a strong naval force…not a navy that sails and fights together.” Central News Agency (translate)
The United States and the Philippines launch joint naval exercises to show off China’s muscles, Britain, Canada and Japan join in
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