US, Philippines to start war Drills read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1137-us-philippines-to-start-war-drills

The Philippines, once a colony of the US, has a longstanding defence relationship with Washington.

The Philippines and US have begun their annual joint military exercises, which the Philippine president has said will be the last while he is in office.

President Rodrigo Duterte made the comment last week, although later his defence secretary said there was no official order yet to that effect.

But Mr Duterte has said he wants to establish new alliances with China.

He also said he would review a defence pact signed two years ago with the US that would see more US troops sent to the Philippines.

The pact is seen as vital for the US to counter China's activities in the South China Sea.

The eight-day military drills involve 1,100 American troops and 400 Filipino military personnel, and are taking place on northern Luzon Island.

They are aimed at improving readiness to respond to crises and deepening historic ties, the US military said.

The US said it had received no formal notification from Mr Duterte that they would be the final drills.

"We're continuing to work with our partners on our bilateral relationship as we know it to be and as it has existed for decades," an embassy official told Reuters.