BBC Online :
About 5,500 troops from the United States and the Philippines have begun a military exercise, amid tensions between Manila and China.
The drills, called Balikatan (Shoulder to Shoulder), take place every year.
These exercises come a week after a military pact to increase the US troop presence in the country was signed.
Visiting Manila last week, US President Barack Obama pledged “ironclad” backing for the Philippines, which is engaged in a maritime dispute with China.
The two countries have competing claims over a number of islands and shoals in the South China Sea, such as Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal.
The South East Asian nation has asked a United Nations arbitration tribunal to rule on the issue.
At Balikatan’s opening ceremony, Filipino Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said it was necessary to deal with “aggressive” neighbours intent on “changing the status quo”, without mentioning China.
He said the 10-day drills would focus on maritime capabilities. They would also include live-fire and maritime surveillance exercises, the Philippine military said.
Its public affairs office chief, Ramon Zagala, however, sought to play down Balikatan’s significance, saying it was “not related to any current situation”.
