Australian, US, Filipino forces practice retaking an island in a drill along the South China Sea

By JIM GOMEZ
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Australian and Filipino forces, backed by U.S. Marines, have practiced retaking an island seized by hostile forces in a large military drill on the northwestern Philippine coast facing the South China Sea. The Philippine president and Australia’s defense minister watched the mock beach landings and assaults Friday. It was held on a Philippine navy base with 1,200 Australians, 560 Filipinos and 120 U.S. Marines participating. The three countries are among the most vocal critics of China’s increasingly aggressive and confrontational actions in the disputed waters, but the Philippine military said Beijing was not the envisioned target of the drills.