The 2023 edition of the multilateral military exercise is taking place near Luzon island from October 2 to 13.
Philippine navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. was quoted as saying that the drills were aimed at "enhancing interoperability, fostering regional cooperation and tackling non-traditional challenges that transcend our borders," while US 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas said that the drills were enabling its participants to "train and demonstrate our resolve, to sharpen our ability, and to enhance our interoperability."
The focus is an air defense exercise involving helicopters, which are training to land on different types of carriers, and tracking and identifying approaching aircraft, according to the report.
The drills also involve an anti-submarine warfare component, the Philippine navy's Southern Luzon force spokesman Lt. Kim Paulo Lopez said in a statement late on Monday.
This year's Samasama exercise is being held amid tensions between the Philippines and China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, where on October 4 Philippine vessels completed a resupply mission in Second Thomas Shoal atoll, despite blocking attempts by the Chinese coast guard.
The territorial affiliation of a number of islands in the South China Sea has been the subject of disputes between China and several other Asia-Pacific countries for decades. Significant oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the continental shelf of those islands, including the Paracel Islands, the Spratly Islands, Thitu Island and Scarborough Shoal. Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines are involved in the disputes to some extent.