US, Philippines agree to more joint military exercises

The US and the Philippines have agreed to conduct more joint military activities next year as Manila was pursuing warmer relations with Washington, a top defence official said on Thursday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, chief Gen. Eduardo Ano said that Manila and Washington recognise the importance of the joint military activities in confronting the security threats facing the region, including terrorism, reports Xinhua news agency.

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“We’ve agreed to conduct 261 joint military activities… So from 258 (this year) we have decided to level up the joint activities because the results of the past exercises were good,” Ano told the media.

He added that joint exercises in 2018 will focus on counterterrorism, territorial defence and disaster response.