U.S. and Philippines Launch Naval Drills with Partners as China Tensions Mount

Philippines, allies kick off naval drills amid Asia-Pacific tensions Forces from Manila, Britain, Canada, France, Japan and the United States kicked off two weeks of joint naval exercises in Philippine waters as a “show of force”, amid flaring regional tension.  This year’s “Sama Sama” drills are being held in the southern part of the island of Luzon, featuring naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defense and search and rescue, the Philippine navy said. Five vessels, two from the United States, and one each from Britain, Canada and Japan, joined the Philippine-hosted drills that will run until…