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☆ Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse reverberates around the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Ray Sanchez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

StreamTimeLive StreamTimeLive StreamTimeLiveAround the same time, numerous audible alarms were recorded on the ship’s bridge audio. The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge. “Once you get here, I’ll go grab the workers on the Key Bridge and then stop the outer loop,” an officer said. When the Key Bridge was built decades ago, container ships were a fraction of the size and weight they are today. Miguel Luna, a native of El Salvador, was also working on the Key Bridge.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, ”, Jayme Krause, Nick Mosby, “ I’ve, Andy Middleton, Middleton, Dali, Marcel Muise, Scott Cowan, Baltimore –, Clay Diamond, Muise, Wes Moore, Diamond, ” Diamond, Al Drago, we’ve, “, Cowan, Jim Watson, Starr Smith, ’ ” Smith, Smith, ” Smith, ” John Zimmerman, They’re ‘, Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, Miguel Luna, Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, Pima Castillo, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Castillo, Alejandro Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez’s, Jazmin Alvarez, Hernández, Isabel Franco, Jose Mynor Lopez, Franco, Lilly Ordonez, Lopez, ” Rafael Laveaga, Holly Yan, Maria Santana, Melissa Alonso, Allison Gordon, Emma Tucker, Tina Burnside, Alex Stambaugh, Abel Alvarado, Aditi Sangal, Danny Freeman, Caroll Alvarado, Amy Simonson, Mary Kay Mallonee, Yahya Abou, Sabrina Souza, AnneClaire Stapleton, Antoinette Radford, Dakin Andone, Curt Devine, Casey Tolan, Isabelle Chapman, Elizabeth Wolfe, Lauren Mascarenhas, Elise Hammond, Gloria Pazmino, Alex Medeiros Organizations: CNN, Evening Sun, Bethlehem Steel, Eiffel, American, Maryland State Police, Sea Catholic, Walmart, National Transportation Safety, Chesapeake Bay, Longshoremen’s Association, Maryland Transportation Authority, American Pilots Association, ”, ” Maryland Gov, Bloomberg, Getty Images Transportation Authority, US Coast Guard, “ Dispatch, Police, Getty, Maryland, CASA, Brawner Builders, Univision, Authorities, Mexican Embassy Locations: Maryland, Fort McHenry, Sparrows Point, Baltimore, Patapsco, Port of Baltimore, India, Singapore, Baltimoreans, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Yemen, Red, Dali, MarineTraffic, ” Maryland, There’s, AFP, Middleton, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Santa Bárbara, America, Dundalk, he’s, Mexican, Michoacan, Washington’s

Jesus Campos said he worked at Brawner Builders alongside the men missing after a bridge collapse in Baltimore. “We’re low-income families,” said Jesus Campos, who has worked at the construction company, Brawner Builders, for about eight months. The executive, Jeffrey Pritzker, and the Coast Guard said that all of the missing workers were presumed dead, given how long it had been since the collapse. Embassies for the other two countries mentioned by Mr. Campos did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Officials said that in addition to the six missing workers, two people had been rescued from the water.

Persons: Jesus Campos, “, ”, Jeffrey Pritzker, Mr, Pritzker, “ It’s, Campos, Francis Scott Key, Miguel Luna, Luna, Gustavo Torres, Jacey Fortin, Miriam Jordan, Patricia Mazzei, Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, Kirsten Noyes Organizations: Brawner Builders, Brawner, Coast Guard, Baltimore Banner Locations: Baltimore, Baltimore County, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Maryland, Petén, Mexican, Washington, Brawner

☆ Baltimore construction company says one of its workers survived bridge collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A member of Brawner Builders survived the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The bridge collapse was triggered by a ship collision. AdvertisementOne construction worker survived the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday morning. Six other workers are presumed dead, Jeffrey Pritzker, the executive vice president of Brawner Builders, the workers' employer, confirmed to Business Insider. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, —, Jeffrey Pritzker, Pritzker Organizations: Builders, Service, Brawner Builders, Business Locations: Baltimore

☆ Missing Baltimore construction workers were migrants from Mexico and Central America: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Six construction workers are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. They are all migrants from Central America, their coworker told The Baltimore Banner. The workers are presumed dead, and recovery efforts are underway. AdvertisementNew information is emerging about the six construction workers who are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday morning. The workers were all migrants from Mexico and Central America, according to reports.

Persons: Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, —, Jesus Campos Organizations: Baltimore Banner, Service, Brawner Builders, Business Locations: Central America, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

On Wednesday, divers worked through dangerous conditions searching for the bodies of the six missing men. Two were recovered from a submerged vehicle, and the other four are presumed dead, officials said. Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, in his 30s, of Honduras, immigrated to the United States more than 17 years ago, according to Mr. Torres, and is married with two children. All but one of the eight men worked for Brawner Builders, a contractor based in Baltimore County, the company said. The men who went missing after the collapse were all immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, according to consular authorities and the nonprofit.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Miguel Luna, Gustavo Torres, Luna, Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, Torres, Suazo’s, Carlos, ” Carlos Suazo, Kirsten Noyes Organizations: CASA, The Times, Mr, Brawner Builders Locations: Baltimore, Dundalk, Md, El Salvador, Maryland, Honduras, United States, Baltimore County, Guatemala, Mexico

☆ Baltimore Bridge Collapse Victims Were Working to Support Families, Co-Worker Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A construction company employee who said he labored alongside the six men missing after a Baltimore bridge collapse on Tuesday said many of his co-workers were migrants working to support their relatives. “We’re low-income families,” said Jesus Campos, who has worked at the construction company, Brawner Builders, for about eight months. The executive, Jeffrey Pritzker, and the Coast Guard said that all of the missing workers were presumed dead, given how long it had been since the collapse. Mr. Pritzker said that Brawner’s owner was distressed and spent the early Tuesday hours near the bridge hoping for a rescue, and has also since met with families of all of the missing workers. He wore a black sweatshirt bearing the construction company’s name and milled about, waiting for news and speaking on the phone.

Persons: “, ”, Jesus Campos, Jeffrey Pritzker, Mr, Pritzker, “ It’s, Campos, Francis Scott Key Organizations: Brawner, Coast Guard Locations: Baltimore, Baltimore County

☆ Baltimore construction company says 1 of their workers survived bridge collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A member of Brawner Builders survived the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The bridge collapse was triggered by a ship collision. AdvertisementOne construction worker has survived the devastating Tuesday morning collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Six other workers are presumed dead, however, Jeffrey Pritzker, the executive vice president of Brawner Builders, the workers' employer, confirmed to Business Insider. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, —, Jeffrey Pritzker, Pritzker Organizations: Builders, Service, Brawner Builders, Business Locations: Baltimore

☆ Philippines Ready to Use 'Forces' to Quell Any Secession Attempt Official
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Duterte has called for the independence of his hometown Mindanao from the Philippines as his alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr disintegrated this week over disagreements around efforts to amend the constitution. National security adviser Eduardo Ano said in a statement any attempt to secede "will be met by the government with resolute force", citing "recent calls to separate Mindanao" but without specifically naming Duterte. "The national government will not hesitate to use its authority and forces to quell and stop any and all attempts to dismember the Republic," Ano said. Ano said calls for secession could reverse the gains of government's peace deal with former separatist groups. Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner told soldiers on Saturday "to remain united and loyal to the constitution and the chain of command".

Persons: Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Duterte, Eduardo Ano, Ano, Ahod Ebrahim, Carlito Galvez Jr, Romeo Brawner, Mikhail Flores, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Moro Islamic Liberation Locations: MANILA, Philippine, Mindanao, Philippines, Moro Islamic

☆ Chinese fighter jets 'orbit' Philippine patrol aircraft, Manila says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Two Chinese fighter jets were monitored "orbiting" a Philippine aircraft participating in patrols with Australia in the South China Sea but did not cause any untoward incident, Manila said on Sunday. China has accused the Philippines of enlisting "foreign forces" to patrol the South China Sea and stirring up trouble. The West Philippine Sea is Manila's term for waters in the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone. The Chinese aircraft continued on its flight route without further incident, Trinidad said. Participating in the joint drills were two Philippine navy vessels and five Philippine surveillance aircraft, and Australia's frigate Toowoomba and P8-A maritime surveillance aircraft.

Persons: China's, Xerxes Trinidad, Romeo Brawner, Karen Lema, William Mallard Organizations: ., South China, Toowoomba, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippine, Australia, South, Manila, Philippines, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, South China, U.S, West Philippine, Trinidad

☆ China says Philippines enlists foreign force to stir trouble in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Chinese military will maintain high vigilance, resolutely defend sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, China's military said. "The Philippines enlisted forces out of the region to patrol ... stirred up trouble and engaged in hype, undermining regional peace and stability," the southern theatre command of the Chinese military said. Relations have soured between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr as he pivots towards closer ties with the U.S., which supports the Southeast Asian nation in its maritime disputes with China. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday China had warned the U.S. and the Philippines in connection with their patrols. A Chinese navy ship shadowed three U.S. and Philippine warships conducting joint patrols on Thursday, the Philippine armed forces chief, Romeo Brawner, told reporters.

Persons: Carlos Dominguez, Gao Hucheng, Damir Sagolj, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Mao Ning, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Ella Cao, Bernard Orr, Liz Lee, Neil Jerome Morales, Edmund Klamann, Robert Birsel Organizations: Philippine, China's, REUTERS, U.S, Philippines, U.S ., Relations, South China, China, Philippine -, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Philippines, BEIJING, MANILA, Philippine, U.S, South China, Taiwan, South, Palawan, United States, Manila

☆ Get into shape along with your dog
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Melanie Radzicki Mcmanus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Walking your dog is a fantastic way to get in shape, and it benefits both you and your pooch. Biking, for example, is much easier for the human who is peddling than the dog that’s running. “I see people riding bikes with a dog, and the dog is gasping for breath and limping,” Tomasino said. “If another dog is coming at you, for example, that’s dangerous for you and the dog. “Exercising is really good bonding for you and your dog, as long as you stay off your phone,” Celapino said.

Persons: ”, Jerry Klein, Klein, You’re, Victoria Tomasino, Dawn Celapino, ” Klein, ” Tomasino, Dana Varble, Brawner Raymond, Buttercup, Joey, Bailey, Stephanie Moody, David Allan, Varble, Sandee LaMotte, Trent Loyd, Mason, Molly, Evie, Ryan, Jack Russell, Ryan Pollyea, Celapino, “, ” Celapino, “ We’re, Melanie Radzicki McManus Organizations: CNN, Health, US Centers for Disease Control, American Kennel Club, CNN’s, North American Veterinary, Lynx Locations: Delray, Palm Beach County , Florida, San Diego

☆ Philippines military remains loyal to the president - national security adviser
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano arrives to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, June 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The Philippines' National Security Adviser on Saturday rejected talk of a plot to destabilise the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, saying the military and entire security sector were loyal to the commander-in-chief. "Yes, there were healthy and passionate exchanges (and) debates among some retired or former military officers and even some criticism against certain policies of the current administration, but they are within the bounds of our democratic space," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. "The security sector shall remain vigilant and ready to take immediate action against any sinister group that will undermine our national security," Ano said. The Philippines has seen more than a dozen coup attempts since the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Persons: Eduardo Ano, Fumio Kishida, Kim Kyung, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Eduardo Año, Año, Año's, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Ano, Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos, Karen Lema, Michael Perry Organizations: Philippine National Security, REUTERS, Rights, National Security, Philippine, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights MANILA, Philippines

☆ Philippines to recruit 'cyber warriors' for online defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. walks past honor guards during the arrival ceremony at Western Command, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, August 10, 2023. Several government agencies, including the lower house of Congress, have recently reported cyber attacks and the chief of the armed forces said some of the almost daily attacks on the military came from abroad. "Instead of recruiting soldiers for infantry battalions, this time we will recruit cyber warriors," General Romeo Brawner told reporters. "There is this general realisation that this new breed of warriors does not have to be muscle strong." Cyber defence training was part joint exercises this year with U.S. forces, Brawner said, highlighting the growing importance of cyber resilience in defence strategy.

Persons: Romeo Brawner Jr, Eloisa Lopez, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Karen Lema, Robert Birsel Organizations: Forces, Western Command, REUTERS, Rights, coastguard, U.S, China Telecom, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Rights MANILA, Philippine, China, South China, Japan

☆ Philippines sees no current, future engagements with Taiwan - military chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. speaks to the media during a press briefing at Western Command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, August 10, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The Philippines has no military engagements with Taiwan and it does not see future engagements with the democratically-governed island, Manila's armed forces chief Romeo Brawner told foreign correspondents on Thursday. The Philippines sees risk of conflict over Taiwan as a major concern amid geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. The military is ready for any eventuality, though it has not monitored reports on any intended attacks on Taiwan in particular, Brawner said. The Philippines adheres to the "One China Policy", and also has ties with Taipei, with its Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan serving as a de facto embassy.

Persons: Romeo Brawner, Eloisa Lopez, Brawner, Karen Lema, Neil Jerome Morales Organizations: Forces, Western Command, REUTERS, Rights, Philippine, Office, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Rights MANILA, Taiwan, China, United States, Mavulis, Taipei, Manila

☆ Philippines denounces China for 'dangerous and offensive' actions in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Chinese navy ship is seen sailing in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The Philippine military has called out China to stop "unsafe actions" in the South China Sea, after a Chinese navy ship shadowed and attempted to cut off a Philippine navy vessel conducting a resupply mission late last week. A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel came as close as 350 yards as it tried to cross in front of the Philippine ship near Thitu island, Manila's biggest and most strategically important outpost in the South China Sea, according to armed forces chief Romeo Brawner. It was the latest in a series of attempts by China to monitor and block Philippine resupply missions to personnel in Manila-occupied features in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. China's claims sovereignty to almost the entire South China Sea, through which more than $3 trillion of trade passes each year.

Persons: Adrian Portugal, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Ferdinand Marcos, Neil Jerome Morales, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Philippine, Liberation Army Navy, PLAN, China's PLAN, Washington, Thomson Locations: South China, Rights MANILA, China, Philippine, Thitu, Manila, Philippines, Beijing

[1/2] Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command speaks at the IISS Special Lecture in Singapore March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The United States may seek access to more military bases in the Philippines under a joint defence agreement between the two countries, the chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific command said on Thursday. Admiral John Aquilino said he and the Philippines' military chief, Romeo Brawner, had discussed further expanding the number of bases U.S. forces could access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The United States says it intends to bolster an already strong alliance and improve the defence capability of the Philippines. Aquilino also said the two countries were seeking to complete an agreement on boosting their intelligence sharing.

Persons: John C, Aquilino, Caroline Chia, Admiral John Aquilino, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, there's, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Pacific Command, REUTERS, Rights, Enhanced, Thomson Locations: United States, Singapore, Rights MANILA, States, Philippines, U.S, China, Washington, Taiwan

☆ Philippines says refurbishing grounded ship an option to strengthen hold on disputed shoal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A Philippine flag flutters onboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines used as a military outpost, in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea March 30, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File PhotoPUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines Aug 11 (Reuters) - The Philippines is looking at several options to strengthen its hold on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea including refurbishing a grounded and rusting warship it uses as a military outpost, a move that would likely anger Beijing. The Philippines intentionally grounded the World War Two-era warship Sierra Madre in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within its exclusive economic zone, and rotates a handful of troops through the ship. China has urged the Philippines to fulfill a "promise" to tow away the grounded vessel, but Manila denied striking any agreement to abandon the shoal, which it calls Ayungin. The Philippines won an international arbitration award in 2016 against China's South China Sea sovereignty claim, after a tribunal ruled Beijing's sweeping claim had no legal basis, including at the Second Thomas Shoal.

Persons: Thomas Shoal, Erik De Castro, Alberto Carlos, Romeo Brawner, Thomas, Ayungin, Carlos, Ramsey Gutierrez, Gutierrez, Karen Lema, Michael Perry Organizations: flutters, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Marines, REUTERS, Philippine Western Command, Chinese Coast Guard, Philippines, China's, Thomson Locations: BRP Sierra, Spratly, South, PRINCESA, Philippines, South China, Beijing, Sierra, China, Manila, Japan, France, South Korea, United States, Philippine, Thomas Shoal . China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia

☆ Older dogs who sleep badly may have dementia, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

During his snooze, the study team will analyze Woofus’ brain waves to judge the quality of his sleep. John Joyner/NC State Veterinary MedicineTraining the dogs to accept EEGTo find out whether sleep problems in dogs indicate early signs of dementia as they do in people, Olby and her team turned to a group of senior dogs enrolled in an ongoing study testing antiaging supplements. John Joyner/NC State Veterinary MedicineFor the new study measuring a dog’s brain waves during sleep, researchers used a form of electroencephalogram called polysomnography, used in sleep clinics to diagnose sleep problems in people. Jake, a 13-year-old pointer, was one of 28 dogs trained to sleep with EEG electrodes. When sleeping brain waves were compared with a dog’s cognitive testing, researchers found that dogs with greater dementia spent less time in deep and REM sleep, just as people do.

☆ Facing China, the Philippines and U.S. Join in Biggest Military Drill Yet
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

More weapons could come. After the foreign and defense ministers of both the United States and the Philippines held talks earlier this month, Washington said it would commit to adopt “a security sector assistance road map” in the Philippines, which “will guide shared defense modernization investments.” Mr. Marcos is set to meet President Joe Biden next week in Washington. Collin Koh, a research fellow and expert on maritime security in Southeast Asia, said that the Philippines could “help to complicate Chinese defense planning” in the South China Sea. “Even weaker actors can pull off certain victories,” he said, pointing to how Ukraine’s vastly outgunned military had shocked and stymied Russian forces over the past year. Now, they say they are more reassured, especially after several visits by high-level U.S. officials.

☆ Philippines, US kick off joint drills amid China concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Adrian Portugal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Lisa Marie DavidFORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines March 13 (Reuters) - The Philippines and United States launched army-to-army exercises on Monday, with a focus on enhancing the Southeast Asian nation's ability to protect and defend its territory from external threats. "The scenarios would involve the defence of the Philippine archipelago from potential foreign aggressors," Philippines Army Chief Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner told reporters following the opening ceremony. "Since this is an army-to-army exercise, we will focus on defence operations such as air defence and also our defence from the shorelines," he added. Under the agreement, the United States can use the bases for joint training, pre-positioning of equipment and building of facilities such as runways, fuel storage and military housing, but not to maintain a permanent presence. China has slammed the expanded agreement, calling it "part of U.S. efforts to encircle and contain China through its military alliance with this country".

☆ Philippines, U.S. to hold biggest war games in years
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The Philippines and the United States will this year carry out their biggest joint military drills since 2015, Manila's army chief said on Wednesday, against a backdrop of growing tensions with China in the South China Sea. President Marcos on Tuesday summoned China's ambassador to express "serious concern" over the intensity and frequency of China's activities in the South China Sea, most of which China claims as its territory. China's use of a laser against a Philippine vessel on Feb. 6, which its foreign ministry insists was legal, has sparked expressions of concerns and support from Australia, Japan, and the United States. The Philippines has granted Washington greater access to its military bases as part of the latter's efforts to deter China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and tension over self-ruled Taiwan. In 2015, more than 11,000 troops from both countries participated in the joint military exercises.

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