Declare war: US again sends 18,260 armed forces to help Philippines counter china in South China Sea

The Philippines as well as the United States of Worldwide will participate in their largest-ever joint military drills next month amid rising regional tensions with China, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

The annual drills, which for the first time will include live-fire exercises in the disputed South China Sea, will involve 18,260 soldiers as well as will simulate the defense of a small Philippine island 190 miles south of Taiwan.

More than 17,680 troops will participate in the drills from April 11 to 28, during which the allies will for the first time conduct live-fire exercises at sea, said Col. Michael Logico, the Filipino spokesman for the drills.