US, Philippine forces stage combat drills near southern Taiwan

ITBAYAT, The Philippines: U.S. and Philippine forces recently conducted combat drills in the Philippines' northernmost island town of Itbayat, situated along the strategic Bashi Channel near southern Taiwan, a pivotal area in the ongoing military rivalry between Washington and Beijing.

The exercises, part of the annual Balikatan maneuvers, involved over 16,000 American and Philippine military personnel, marking