Source : NEW INDIAN EXPRESS NEWS
The U.S. and the Philippines have denied the annual combat maneuvers — which both said would focus on a “full-scale battle scenario” this year — were aimed at China or any adversary. The lines between what’s mock and real, however, have been at times murky.
Asked if U.S. forces would pull out the anti-ship missile system from Batanes after the combat drills, Cederholm did not reply clearly.
“We don’t broadcast when we’re going in, when we’re coming out and how long things are going to stay,” Cederholm said. “All I’ll say is we’re here at the invitation and with the support of the Philippine government.”
“But I’m glad it’s here,” he said.
Additionally, China had repeatedly expressed its strong opposition to the U.S. Army deployment last year of a mid-range missile system in the Philippines for joint exercises.
The U.S. Army launcher with at least 16 Standard Missile-6 and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles was repositioned in January from an international airport in northern Laoag city to a northwestern coastal area facing the Scarborough Shoal, where China’s forces have used water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Philippine coast guard and fishery ships and fired flares near Manila’s patrol planes, a Philippine official then told The AP.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authority to discuss the delicate issue publicly.
Tomahawk missiles can travel over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers), which places China within their target range.
During the combat exercises from April 21 to May 9, American and Filipino forces will also practice jointly defending Philippine islands by repelling hostile forces attempting to assault from the sea in the western Philippine province of Palawan, which faces the South China Sea, and in northern Cagayan province near Batanes.
SOURCE :- NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
