China proposes joint counterterror drills with Philippines

MANILA, Philippines —  China is seeking to conduct joint military exercises with the Philippines to combat terrorism.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua relayed China’s proposal for training with the country’s special forces.

Arevalo told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday that China’s proposal was made after its P5-million donation for the benefit of soldiers fighting the Maute group in Marawi City.

It pledged another P15 million to help in the locality’s rehabilitation, Arevalo said.

Arevalo added Zhao, in his talks with AFP chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año on Tuesday, also discussed China’s desire for continuing exchange of information between the two countries.

He said such exchanges include the sharing of intelligence information and other forms of cooperation “in relation to fighting global threat on terror.”