“LAOAG, Philippines: Philippines, US Fire at ‘Invasion’ Force in South China Sea Drills. US and Filipino Troops Conduct War Games, Target ‘Invasion’ Force” – US and Filipino troops fired missiles and artillery at an imaginary “invasion” force during war games on the Philippines’ northern coast on Monday (May 6), days after their governments objected to China’s “dangerous” actions in regional waters.
“Thousands of Troops Engage in Land, Sea, and Air Maneuvers Amid Rising Tensions in South China Sea” – The maneuvers come as confrontations between Chinese and Filipino vessels escalate around shoals in the South China Sea claimed by Manila, alongside increased Chinese air and naval activity near self-ruled Taiwan.
“US Troops Fire Live Howitzer Rounds at Floating Targets Off Luzon Island Coast” – AFP journalists witnessed US troops massed at a strip of sand dunes on Luzon island’s northwest coast, approximately 400km south of Taiwan, firing more than 50 live 155mm howitzer rounds at floating targets about 5km off the coast.
“Filipino Troops Launch Rockets, Machine Guns, and Missiles in Joint Exercise with US Forces” – Following the US troops’ actions, Filipino troops fired rockets aimed at wearing down the attackers, before both forces concluded the exercise with machine guns, Javelin missiles, and additional artillery rounds.
“US General: Exercise Prepares for Worst, Securing Key Maritime Terrain” – Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm, commander of the US First Marine Expeditionary Force, stated that the exercise aimed “to prepare for the worst” by focusing on “securing key maritime terrain.”
“Manila Accuses China of Damaging Philippine Vessels in South China Sea Clash” – Just last week, Manila claimed that the China Coast Guard damaged a Philippine Coast Guard ship and another government vessel in water cannon attacks around the disputed China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on April 30.
