The Philippine and US militaries have begun joint patrols in waters near Taiwan, officials in Manila said.
The move is likely to further escalate tensions with China.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the three-day joint air and naval exercise is an “important initiative” to strengthen interoperability between the two countries.
“I trust that this will contribute to a safer and more stable environment for our people,” he said on the X social network.
The exercise began off Mavulis Island, the northernmost tip of the Philippines, located about 100 kilometers from Taiwan, military spokesman Eugene Cabusao said.
They will end up in the “West Philippine Sea,” as Manila calls the waters of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone.
The Philippine military said three ships, two FA-50 light combat aircraft and one 29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft participated in the exercise.
The United States sent a littoral combat ship and a P8-A patrol aircraft.