This is the third day of the annual Balikatan drills.
And here in Puerto Princesa in the southwest of the
Philippines,
the country's Navy is getting ready to join joint US
drills.
This year's exercises are the most expansive yet.
For the first time, they're taking place outside of Philippines
territorial waters,
but within the country's exclusive economic zone.
And these come as tensions rise here in the South
China Sea,
Beijing and Manila are increasingly clashing over territorial claims.
Here, the Philippines has been upping its defence,
looking for closer cooperation with the US and to get
US weapons.
China has hit back at these drills.
It's accused the US and the Philippines of ganging up
against it.
As the exercises kick off here,
all eyes will be on Chinese movements in the area
and any reaction from Beijing.
Alex Chen and Rick Lauert in Puerto Princesa for Taiwan
plus.