Concerns raised over US-Philippines drill

Military maneuvers imperil stability, risk stirring up tensions, analysts say

A joint drill conducted by the Philippines and the United States forces starting from Monday threatens regional stability and further stirs up tension in the South China Sea, analysts say.

The annual drill, called Balikatan, a Filipino term that means shoulder-to-shoulder, will run from April 22 to May 10. As many as 16,700 soldiers will participate in a broad spectrum of training activities, from maritime security and air defense to cyber warfare and information operations.

Of particular significance is the deployment of the Mid-Range Capability missile system, colloquially referred to as Typhon, by the US Army Pacific to the Philippines' Luzon, which faces Taiwan of China — another flashpoint of tense Sino-US relations.