Philippines, Japan, U.S. hold joint drill in waters near Taiwan

The Philippines, Japan and the United States on Thursday concluded a four-day naval drill near the Bashi Channel between the Philippines and Taiwan, expanding the exercise beyond the South China Sea for the first time.The exercise was conducted under the Philippines' Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity framework, which has previously involved other countries as well, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.Capt. Jennifer Monforte of the Philippine Navy frigate Antonio Luna told reporters from Kyodo News and other media aboard the ship that the drill is aimed at enhancing "the inte…READ FULL ARTICLE