AGAINST a backdrop of China’s frenzied reclamation projects in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the Philippines and the United States begin on Monday this year’s Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) military exercises that Malacañang said will boost both countries’ readiness to respond to threats in the region.

In an interview over government-owned Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said while the wargames are not directly aimed against China, these are meant to maintain a high level of preparedness for any contingency.

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