Phl, US hold anti-submarine, coastal defense drills

It was a show of force and test of interoperability by the militaries of the Philippines, the United States and other major allies, which kicked off their joint maneuvers in different parts of the country both at sea and on land on Monday.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

In the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy and the US Navy conducted anti-submarine and night patrol exercises as part of their Sama-Sama (together) military drills. Japan, Australia, Canada and France will later join the exercise.

The naval maneuver took place against the backdrop of the increasing number of Chinese vessels - including warships - in the West Philippine Sea.

Based on monitoring by the Philippine Navy, Chinese vessels in Philippine waters totaled 34 from Oct. 7 to 13, up from 28 the previous week.

In Pili, Camarines Norte and in other parts of the Bicol Region, Filipino and Australian soldiers held war drills as part of the second leg of this year's Exercise Kasangga 2024.

The joint exercise, involving 216 Philippine Army personnel and 50 Australian soldiers, will run until Nov. 8.

The Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, is spearheading a two-week capability enhancement drill dubbed as Joint, Combined and Inter-Agency Maritime Security Training Exercise.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the launch on Monday of the Sama-Sama advanced maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea was a success.

Participating in the naval exercise were the Philippine Navy's guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal and US Navy destroyer USS Howard.