Japan MSDF vessel

Manila, Japan, Aug. 27 Kyodo - video taken by a Kyodo News reporter on board Manila shows the MSDF destroyer Izumo has unveiled to the overseas media near Manila on Aug. 27, 2023. (Kyodo)

Philippines, U.S. kick off largest-scale joint military drills amid criticisms

STORY: Philippines, U.S. kick off largest-scale joint military drills amid criticisms DATELINE: April 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:37 LOCATION: Manila CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the opening ceremony 2. various of the protest 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILSON LEE FLORES, Columnist for The Philippine Star 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROLAND SIMBULAN, Vice chair of the Center for People's Empowerment in Governance of the Philippines STORYLINE: More than 17,000 Philippine and U.S. troops on Tuesday kicked off the most extensive joint military activities in decades in the Philippines amid criticisms that it escalates tension in the region rather than peace and stability. According to the Philippine military, the 18-day yearly exercise dubbed Balikatan involves 5,400 Philippine and 12,200 U.S. troops, making it the largest iteration of the Philippines-U.S. joint drills conducted in decades. About 100 members of the Australian armed forces join in the exercises, while a dozen count

Thai military team leaves for E. Timor

Thai military team leaves for E. Timor

BANGKOK, Thailand - Maj. Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatra (L), who has been appointed deputy commander of the international force for East Timor, talks with Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai (R) prior to departure for Darwin, Australia, on Sept. 17. His 33-member advance team of Thai armed forces will join Australian forces in Darwin as U.N. peacekeepers in East Timor and will proceed to Dili on Sept. 18.

Thai military team leaves for E. Timor

Thai military team leaves for E. Timor

BANGKOK, Thailand - Maj. Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatra (L), who has been appointed deputy commander of the international force for East Timor, talks with Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai (R) prior to departure for Darwin, Australia, on Sept. 17. His 33-member advance team of Thai armed forces will join Australian forces in Darwin as U.N. peacekeepers in East Timor and will proceed to Dili on Sept. 18.