Philippine Coast Guard Trains With US, Japan Using Japanese Patrol Ship

Philippine Marines' amphibious assault vehicles maneuver next to a Philippine BRP Tarlac navy landing platform dock ship during a joint amphibious landing exercise with U.S. Marines at a beach facing the South China Sea in San Antonio town, Zambales province, on Oct. 7, 2022. Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippine coast guard has begun training with its counterparts from Japan and the United States using a Japan-made patrol vessel, amid China’s increased assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

About 100 Philippine personnel and several U.S. and Japanese service members are participating in the drills that will run through Nov. 5. The training started early during the week of Oct. 24, but it wasn’t open to the media until Oct. 28.