The US and the Philippines began a five-day military exercise in waters near the Southeast Asian country’s Subic Bay, in the northern part of the country on June 6.

Rear Admiral Charles Willams, Commander of the US Navy’s Task Force 73, said that the 22 nd Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise enables the US Navy to develop strong relationships with Philippine partners.

Rear Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, Philippine Fleet commander, said they look forward to working with their US Navy partners during CARAT 2016.

The US and the Philippines hold joint military exercise (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Aside from Subic Bay, the exercise will take place in waters off Palawan province in the western Philippines and in the Sulu Sea in southern part of the country.

CARAT Philippines is part of a broader exercise series the US Navy conducts with nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia.

The Philippines first joined the CARAT exercises in 1995.

(Source: VNA)