Philippines, U.S. Hold Joint Sail in Disputed South China Sea Shoal

Philippines and U.S. naval vessels during joint exercises near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on January 26, 2026. Image via the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Philippine and U.S. militaries sailed together at a disputed South China Sea shoal this week, Manila’s armed forces said on Tuesday, performing joint exercises to boost interoperability between the two treaty allies.

The joint sail was held in the Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea waters lying within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, which China also claims as part of its territory. It was the 11th “maritime cooperative activity” involving the United States and the Philippines since November 2023.

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by Reuters

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