Filipino and Australian troops trained for the first time together on Monday in the defense and recapture of territory from mock invaders in this coastal town facing the West Philippine Sea, amid festering maritime tensions between Manila and Beijing. The air assault drills, which also involved a small contingent of American troops, were carried out as the Philippines was making a new attempt to deliver supplies in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, two weeks after one of its supply boats was prevented from doing so by China Coast Guard (CCG) ships using water cannons. Australian diplomats and ranking military officials broke into applause as they watched the combined training forces raise the Philippine flag in the “seized” territory following a successful raid on Tarumpitao Airfield, one of Palawan’s critical installations.

Mangosing, F., & Ramos, M. (2023, August 22). PH-Aussie forces regain territory from ‘invaders’ in Palawan mock drills. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.