Beijing has repeatedly accused the Philippines of being in a pawn in U.S. efforts to contain China's rise and touted bilateral dialogue with its neighbor as the only solution to their territorial dispute.

China's aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific is rooted in long-standing strategic ambitions independent of any U.S. policy, and the region's challenges stem from Beijing's own expansionist agenda, the Philippines' top defence official said on Wednesday.

In the jungles, plains and mountains of Luzon, the U.S. Army is experimenting with 3D-printed drones, missile launchers and new operational maneuvers in a test of their ability to defend the Philippines’ largest island.

The Chinese military vowed to safeguard the country's national sovereignty and security in the South China Sea.

The Philippines said its visiting forces agreement with Canada is ready for signing, as the Southeast Asian nation builds a coalition of like-minded nations and deterrence amid tensions with China.

Over 2,500 personnel, including 2,301 from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and 225 from the US Pacific Air Forces, are involved in the drills.

U.S. Air Force F-35s are operating on Philippine soil for the first time as part of aerial combat drills between Washington and Manila that will focus on operations in the north of the Southeast Asian archipelago.

China has sanctioned a former Filipino lawmaker, Francis Tolentino, who sponsored legislation that marks out the Philippines’ territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea.

Despite rising tension in the regional flash point of the South China Sea, the Philippines' top defense official also dismissed fears that conflict was on the horizon.

The Philippines is enhancing its naval power by acquiring new warships and second-hand vessels from its allies and partners.