US and Philippine forces launch combat drills in the disputed South China Sea

News Snapshot:

Philippines' military Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., center left, and US Embassy Charg d' Affaires, Robert Ewing, center right, arrive during the opening ceremonies of the "Balikatan" or Shoulder-to-Shoulder at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon City, Philippines on Monday April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe) MANILA – American and Filipino forces launched their largest combat exercises in years Monday in a show of allied firepower near the disputed South China Sea that has alarmed Beijing. The annual exercises by the longtime treaty allies will run until May 10 and involve more than 16,000 of their military personnel, along with...