Filipino and US troops fired missiles and artillery at an imaginary “invasion” force during war games at the La Paz sand dunes in Laoag, Ilocos Norte as part of the Balikatan exercise.
US Army soldiers fire 155mm and 105mm Howitzers at floating targets during a live-fire exercise as part of Balikatan 2024 at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte yesterday.MANILA, Philippines —
Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, commander of the US First Marine Expeditionary Force, said the exercise was “to prepare for the worst” by “securing key maritime terrain.”“Our northwestern side is more exposed,” Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine, exercise director for the Filipinos, said ahead of the live firing at the sand dunes near Laoag City.
China has deployed hundreds of coast guard, navy and other vessels to patrol and militarize the waters. Monday’s exercise came days after the defense chiefs of the Philippines, the US, Japan and Australia met in Hawaii and issued a joint statement on their strong objections to the “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” of China in the South China Sea.
The confrontations between the Philippines and China come as tensions have ratcheted up between Beijing and Taipei, which is about to inaugurate a new president regarded by China as a dangerous separatist.
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