The Philippines have began separate but simultaneous naval drills with the United States and Japan in the disputed South China Sea. Philippines has been holding naval drills with US since 1995. Joining drills with Japan is only its second ever after one earlier this year.

The Navy Drill named as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with US will include a P-3 Orion aircraft. The drills will also feature the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth, and involve the rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard.

China has been claiming almost the entire Sea despite competing claims from the other countries, which include Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The Asian Super Power has been taking strong action including reclamation to assert sovereignty. The Philippines has asked a United Nations tribunal to reject China’s claims to most of the Sea, a move angrily rejected by Beijing which says the world body has no authority in the matter.

This week’s naval exercise will be held both on Palawan, the closest land mass to the disputed reefs and waters, and in the Sulu Sea to the east of the island.

Tidbits

• The Capital of Philippines is Manila. The currency is Philippine Peso.
• The Philippines is the world’s leading producer of coconuts.
• The islands were dubbed “the Philippines” after King Philip II of Spain.
• The World Champion Professional Boxer Manny Pacquiao is from Philippines.