US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines

The United States and the Philippines have kicked off of their largest combat exercises in an annual display of allied military might.

The exercises that began Monday are aimed at deterring aggression in Asia despite Washington’s focus on the war in the Middle East.

More than 17,000 American and Filipino military personnel will participate in exercises called Balikatan, which means shoulder to shoulder in Tagalog.

The event will include nearly three weeks of mock battle scenarios.

This year, the large-scale combat drills will include other militaries, including from Japan, France and Canada, which have signed visiting forces agreements with Manila, the Philippine military said.