In the Pangasinan province of the Philippines, a US military aircraft under the US Indo-Pacific Command crashed into a concrete barrier during an emergency drill. Five US personnel were injured in the incident.
During an emergency drill in the Philippines, a US Air Force transport plane went out of control during takeoff and struck a concrete barrier. In the accident that occurred in Pangasinan province, five American personnel on board the aircraft were injured.
Statement from the US
The Hawaii-based US Indo-Pacific Command confirmed to the Associated Press that two soldiers were sent to a medical facility for treatment. The statement noted that the incident is under investigation and that no civilians were injured.
It was reported that there are some differences between the number of injured shared by the Philippine police and the information provided by US authorities, which is also under review.
Regional Security and the Importance of Exercises
Military cooperation between the US and the Philippines is conducted under the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement. Joint exercises carried out in recent years aim particularly to support navigation and airspace freedom in the South China Sea, located west of the Philippines.
While tensions occasionally arise between China and the Philippines over coastal security and maritime assets in the region, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also among the parties claiming rights in disputed waters.
The US administration has repeatedly stated that it does not claim direct rights in the disputed waters, but it is obligated under a mutual defense agreement to defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack against Philippine forces.
