RP denies drill aimed at China

RP denies drill aimed at China

MANILA (AFP): Planned joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States are not aimed at China, presidential spokesman Fernando Barican said here on Wednesday in response to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

Filipino military officials said the joint exercises are to be held on and off the western Philippine island of Palawan, which is near the Spratlys archipelago claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Manila has accused Beijing of occupying and expanding structures on Mischief Reef, which is within the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone, rattling bilateral ties.

China last week called on the Philippines to remove a naval ship from the Second Thomas Shoal, some 20 nautical miles from Mischief Reel, but Manila refused the request saying the ship was undergoing repairs.