Trilateral naval drills in SCS set But PH ‘cancels’ participation in joint exercises with US, Australia, Japan

By Vince Lopez

JAPAN, the United States and Australia are set to conduct naval drills in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

Kyodo News, citing multiple sources, said the trilateral exercise comes on the heels of increased tensions between Beijing and Manila after a China coast guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine military-chartered boat near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea earlier this month.

The Japanese news agency said the Philippines, which will host the vessels from the three countries before the naval exercises, “cancelled” its participation.

"The Philippine forces have canceled their participation in the joint drill since the three other nations' aircraft are too large to land on the decks of Philippine warships, according to the sources," Kyodo News said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines