Philippines, U.S. hold controversial war games

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

Nearly 100 U.S. and Philippine troops take part in a mock assault on a small island in energy-rich waters disputed with China, a drill Beijing had said would raise the risk of armed conflict.

The exercises, part of annual U.S.-Philippine war games exercises on the western island of Palawan, coincide with another stand-off between Chinese and Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal in a different part of the South China Sea.

China has territorial disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan across the South China Sea, each searching for gas and oil while building up their navies and military alliances.

Officers who participated in the exercises said the drill with U.S. troops was aimed at improving relations between the two countries.

The Philippine troops' exercise director for naval forces events, said such a drill was routine. The U.S. Marines also denied that the exercises were a response to the recent stand-off.