In this photo by Bullit Marquez, a U.S. Navy amphibious assault vehicle with Philippine and U.S. troops on board storms the beach during a joint exercise at the Naval Education and Training Command center in Zambales province, northwest of Manila. The Zambales shore faces the disputed Scarborough Shoal, where Chinese vessels were reported to have driven away Filipino fishermen with a water cannon and seized some of their catch in early April. Philippine military officials say the maneuvers with the U.S. are not directed at China. But the venue of some exercises in waters facing the disputed region and a focus on territorial defense have raised the appearance of a link. More than 10,000 American and Filipino military personnel are participating in the annual combat drills
Manila Bulletin
