Xerxes Trinidad, the Philippine Armed Forces’ chief public affairs officer, emphasized the exercise’s role in upholding a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. The operation comes at a critical time, as China pushes to establish a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, a contested area also claimed by the Philippines. This move has heightened regional disputes, with the U.S. and its allies rejecting Beijing’s expansive territorial claims.
The trilateral drill reflects a broader trend of intensified military collaboration among the three nations. Recent months have seen increased joint exercises to counter China’s assertiveness, including its coast guard activities in disputed waters. By showcasing naval and air capabilities, the Philippines, Japan, and the U.S. aim to deter unilateral actions and promote freedom of navigation under international law.
This exercise underscores the growing strategic partnership in the face of geopolitical challenges, signaling a united front to safeguard the Indo-Pacific’s stability.
The trilateral drill reflects a broader trend of intensified military collaboration among the three nations. Recent months have seen increased joint exercises to counter China’s assertiveness, including its coast guard activities in disputed waters. By showcasing naval and air capabilities, the Philippines, Japan, and the U.S. aim to deter unilateral actions and promote freedom of navigation under international law.
This exercise underscores the growing strategic partnership in the face of geopolitical challenges, signaling a united front to safeguard the Indo-Pacific’s stability.