RP rejects US bid for military maneuvers

RP rejects US bid for military maneuvers

MANILA (AFP): The Philippine government has rejected a United
States proposal to hold multilateral military exercises involving
four other countries next year, a senior defense official said
Sunday.

In its proposal, the U.S. government wants Thailand,
Singapore, Australia and Canada to join the training exercises on
a date which is yet to be decided.

The planned maneuvers would be the second large-scale
exercises by Filipino and American troops since the Philippine
Senate ratified a visiting forces agreement last year.

The official said holding the six-nation exercise could offend
other Asian neighbors who do not enjoy close defense ties with
the US, such as Vietnam, Malaysia and China.