Philippines, US, Australian troops hold Balikatan drills in Palawan

US, Filipino, and Australian troops conducted joint military drills on the Philippines' Palawan coast on Monday, shortly after China claimed control over a reef also claimed by Manila.

The exercises involved land, sea, and air operations, with the launch of rockets using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to simulate defense against a sea-based attack.

Thomas Savage, Major General, US Marine Corps said "We're actually demonstrating combined multi-domain capability which you are able to see here today. We do this along our allies -- 72 years we've had a mutual defence treaty with the Philippines and we're all about helping the Philippines defend their own sovereignty."

Despite the timing coinciding with tensions in the South China Sea, officials clarified the exercises were planned independently and were not related to the dispute with China. The annual drills, which have been held for over 40 years, focus on military readiness and cooperation.