Exercise Balikatan 2025: Philippine Navy conducts emergency drill amid tensions with China

WEST PHILIPINE SEA - APRIL 28, 2025: The Philippine Navy conducted an emergency drill simulating a medical response to a potential attack by China as part of the ongoing Balikatan exercise in the West Philippine Sea on Monday, April 28.The drill was part of a multilateral maritime exercise involving the United States, Japan, and the Philippines under the annual Balikatan program.Balikatan 2025 is taking place from April 21 to May 9 in Luzon Strait, which lies between Philippines's Luzon island and Taiwan.Philippines' emergency drill on Monday aimed to train forces in providing medical assistance and evacuating injured soldiers from warships to shore hospitals using helicopters.The exercise took place amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Manila, following an incident on April 27 when Chinese Coast Guard personnel reportedly attempted to seize Sandy Cay, a sandbank located in highly disputed waters between the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.(Footage by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)