Part 10/16:
In May 2024, the Philippines conducted its largest joint military drills with the United States, dubbed Balikatan ("Shoulder-to-Shoulder"). The exercises involved over 16,000 troops and expanded to include the Philippine Coast Guard, emphasizing maritime security and preparedness for potential conflict scenarios. A notable feature was the sinking of a Chinese-made target ship using high-precision rockets—symbolizing the readiness to confront threats.