Philippines and US kick off naval exercises amid China tension

Philippine Marines' Brigadier General Jesus Caldez (left) and Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan (centre) of the US Marines unfurl the exercise flag during the opening ceremony of "Kamandag" (cooperation of the warriors of the sea), a joint military exercise between US and Philippine marines at the Philippine marines headquarters in Taguig, suburban Manila on Monday. (AFP photo)

MANILA: The armed forces of the United States and the Philippines launched two weeks of joint naval exercises on Monday, reinforcing a close military alliance at a time of regional uncertainty over tensions between Washington and Beijing.

KAMANDAG, an acronym in Filipino for "Cooperation of the warriors of the sea", runs until Oct 14, will involve 2,550 American and 530 Filipino troops and include island-based exercises in amphibious landings, live fire and humanitarian assistance.