The annual Balikatan, or Shoulder-to-Shoulder joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States is underway in Philippine capital Manila. They will run 12 days, through Friday, April 15th.

Some 9,000 Filipino and US forces, as well as about 80 from Australian Defense Force personnel, are involved.  The drills are taking place in the islands of Luzon, Palawan and Panay. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit next week to personally observe the drills. For the first time, the exercises include a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, capable of firing long-range multiple rockets.

The militant group Kilusang Mayo Una has denounced the exercises. It says Shoulder-to-Shoulder is not about upholding Philippine sovereignty, but about upholding the military might and geopolitical interests of the US.