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WASHINGTON -- The United States and the Philippines will continue the fundamental work needed to modernize and strengthen the alliance between the two nations, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,
The Philippines has agreed to an “increased tempo” of maritime activities like joint patrols with the United States in the South China Sea, as Beijing resorts to more assertive actions in the disputed waters, the US defense chief revealed on Wednesday.
The two countries have been cooperating on various new defense measures in 2023, including giving American troops access to four additional bases in the Philippines that are close to Taiwan and other potential trouble spots in the South China Sea.
The first iteration of the exercises is scheduled for May 1 to 12 (CT-PH 23-1), while the second round is slated for July 2 to 21 (CT-PH 23-2).
The primary flight operations for the first phase of Cope Thunder from May 1 to 12 are currently being held at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga.