Philippines-China war games likely – DND

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – War games between the Philippines and China are possible, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday as President Duterte started his visit to Beijing amid a maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

During the send-off ceremony for President Duterte at the Bandar Seri Begawan Airport, Lorenzana said the war games between Filipino troops and Chinese military could not be expected to take place immediately as there are many things to comply with before these could be mutually agreed upon. 

Lorenzana also said the possible war games would not be tackled during the President’s four-day state visit in Beijing. “It could be discussed at another time or another meeting in the future.”

“There are no ramifications if ever there are really efforts to hold joint military exercises with China,” he added.

Duterte ended yesterday his three-day state visit in Brunei Darussalam and was on his way to Beijing for a four-day state visit.

Duterte earlier said that he is open to joint military exercises with China and Russia. 

“Yes, I will. I have given enough time for the Americans to play with the Filipino soldiers,” the President was earlier quoted by a Hong Kong television network as saying.