Philippines, allies kick off naval drills amid Asia-Pacific tension. Manila, along with forces from Britain, Canada, Japan, and the U.S., initiated two-week joint naval exercises in Philippine waters following Beijing's move to block Philippine fishermen from the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The "Sama Sama" drills, with over 1,800 participants, are being held in southern Luzon, focusing on areas like anti-submarine warfare and air defense.