The annual US-Philippines Balikatan 2024 exercise kick off amid rising tensions over Taiwan

The US and the Philippines have launched the annual Balikatan 2024 military exercise amid rising tensions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

A group of protesters gathered in front of the Armed Forces headquarters in Quezon City demanding an end to the maneuvers involving 5,000 Filipino and 11,000 US soldiers.

"The purpose of the Armed Forces is actually a preparation for war. We should not sugarcoat the situation, if we don't prepare, we are doing the country a bearish favor," ABS-CBN News TV quoted a statement from the exercise spokesperson as saying.

Among other things, the US has deployed anti-aircraft guided missiles in the Philippines. Earlier, China called for an end to the provocations.