MANILA: Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the disputed South China Sea, the United States and the Philippines have launched their annual joint naval exercises, named “Samasama” (meaning Together in Tagalog). The military drills, involving more than a thousand sailors, encompass anti-submarine, surface, and electronic warfare operations off the coasts of Manila and the southern region of Luzon, the Philippines’ main island.
The exercises come in the wake of a recent diplomatic dispute between the Philippines and China over the contested South China Sea. China’s territorial claims over the vast maritime region have raised concerns for Washington and its regional allies.
Addressing sailors at the opening ceremony in Manila, US Pacific Command chief Vice Admiral Karl Thomas emphasized the importance of upholding the rights of nations to safeguard their national sovereignty on the high seas. Without directly naming China, Thomas remarked that the longstanding “rules-based international order” guaranteeing peace in the region had been challenged, highlighting the necessity for joint naval operations.
“There is no better way to ensure sovereignty and security than to sail and to operate together,” stated Vice Admiral Thomas, emphasizing the significance of international cooperation in the face of maritime challenges.
Dispute Between Philippines and China
The Philippines recently took action to challenge Chinese control, cutting a rope tethering a floating barrier at the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal, which China seized in 2012, preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing the area.
The ongoing joint naval drills involve the participation of the US Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Dewey, a dry cargo ammunition ship, and P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. The Philippine Navy is contributing a guided missile frigate, alongside vessels from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Canadian Navy. Additionally, personnel from Britain, Japan, Canada, France, and Australia are participating in tabletop exercises, while New Zealand and Indonesia are sending observers, underscoring the international concern regarding the tensions in the South China Sea.
