US, Philippine forces hold combat drills to brace for crisis


              A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force passes by a sign during opening ceremonies of an annual joint military exercise called Kamandag the Tagalog acronym for "Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea" at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city, Philippines on Monday Oct. 3, 2022. More than 2,500 U.S. and Philippine marines launched combat exercises Monday to be able to jointly respond to any sudden crisis in a region long on tenterhooks over the South China Sea territorial disputes and China"s increasingly hostile actions against Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
            
              Marines from Philippines, Japan, South Korea and the United States carry their flag during opening ceremonies of an annual joint military exercise called Kamandag the Tagalog acronym for "Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea" at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city, Philippines on Monday Oct. 3, 2022. More than 2,500 U.S. and Philippine marines launched combat exercises Monday to be able to jointly respond to any sudden crisis in a region long on tenterhooks over the South China Sea territorial disputes and ChinaÅfs increasingly hostile actions against Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)