Washington (Times Of Ocean)- The United States has deployed a Patriot missile defense system to the Philippines, a report said on Monday.
The Filipino daily Inquirer reported that it was the “first time as part of annual joint war games.”
A Patriot missile system was deployed at Aparri in the Cagayan province, which is in the northern Philippines facing south of Taiwan, it said.
The US is deploying the system for the first time overseas by land and sea, according to the report.
From March 28 to April 8, the United States and Philippines will conduct the “largest-ever” joint military exercise across the Luzon island.
A total of 5,100 US military personnel and 3,800 Philippine soldiers are participating in the exercise in the archipelago nation.
According to the US Embassy in Manila, Balikatan 2022 will focus on “maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.”
They practiced joint landings, parachute jumps, and live fire drills.
On Monday, Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Anhui, an eastern province of China.
“Both agreed that maritime issues should be put in a proper place in bilateral relations. It is particularly important to prevent improper steps that could disrupt or even undermine bilateral relations and stability in the South China Sea,” China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a brief statement on Twitter.
Wang said China is ready to work toward the goal of building five homes, including a peaceful, safe, secure, prosperous, beautiful, and amicable home with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping.