Nearly 7,000 American and Filipino troops have begun a major joint military exercise that will include combat drills near disputed South China Sea waters. The exercise comes as the United States expands its presence in the region. On Monday, dozens of Filipino student activists protested outside the U.S. embassy and called for all U.S. troops to leave the Philippines. U.S. and Filipino military officials claimed the military exercises were not meant to provoke China. This is Marine Brigadier General Frederick Padilla.

Brig. Gen. Frederick Padilla: “Well, this exercise, from our standpoint, is not linked to any particular situation. It is merely an opportunity for us to work on our relationship and be able to be ready. And again, this year, the scenario is a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenario. So that’s really what we’re focused on, is just building that bond, building the relationships, so we can respond better should there be a crisis that comes.”