The Philippine and US militaries have commenced a three-week joint exercise on Monday, simulating a “comprehensive combat scenario” to hinder Beijing’s ambitions in the disputed South China Sea. It is expected that approximately 18,000 soldiers, comprising 12,000 from the US and 6,000 from the Philippines, will participate in the annual “Balikatan” maneuver. Australia and Japan are also participating with smaller contingents. For the first time, the exercise will include an integrated air and missile defense simulation, which, according to media reports, will also include President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s participation.
Highly developed US weapons systems like the NMESIS anti-ship missile system will be deployed during the exercise. A portion of the maneuver will take place near Taiwan, sending a message to China. “We will not only demonstrate our will to uphold the existing mutual defense treaty since 1951 but also our unparalleled ability to do so” said James Glynn, General Lieutenant of the US Marine Corps, during the opening ceremony in Manila on Monday. “Nothing welds together faster than shared threats” he added, without naming the threat.
James Glynn, General Lieutenant of the US Marine Corps, during a press conference in Manila, April 21, 2025. Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images / Gettyimages.ru
Nevertheless, it is clear to whom the statement refers: Beijing, which has been engaged in disputes with the Philippines over disputed territories in the South China Sea for months.
Just days before the start of the Balikatan exercise, an incident occurred on Sunday, in which the Chinese Navy, according to its own statement, drove away a Philippine warship that had “illegally entered the waters of a disputed depth in the South China Sea” as reported by the South China Morning Post. The ship in question was the BRP Apolinario Mabini, a patrol ship of the Jacinto class of the Philippine Navy, which had approached the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by both Beijing and Manila.
General Glynn referred to this year’s exercise as a “comprehensive combat test” that will measure the capabilities of both forces in various scenarios. The exercises include defense against missile threats, preventing invasions at sea and sinking a retired Philippine Marine ship in a maritime attack test.
“The comprehensive combat test will take into account all regional security challenges we face today, starting from the South China Sea” Glynn said during a press conference.
Since Marcos’ assumption of office in 2022, the country has steadily deepened its military cooperation with the US and escalated its rhetoric against China. During a recent visit to Manila, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared that Washington would “double down” on its efforts to strengthen the alliance with the Philippines. “Deterrence is needed everywhere in the world, but especially in this region, in your country – in the face of the threat posed by the communist Chinese” he warned in March.