US reveals joint patrols in South China Sea with Philippines and will keep 300 troops including combat aircraft in region

The United States on Thursday revealed for the first time that American ships have started conducting joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea, a somewhat rare move not done with many other partners in the region.

At the same time, Defence Secretary Ash Carter announced at a joint news conference with Philippine Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmi that the United States will be keeping nearly 300 troops, including Air Force commandos armed with combat aircraft and helicopters, in the Philippines through the end of the month. It is part of a military build-up sure to inflame tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.

The US will also begin sending forces on increased rotations into the Philippines, it was disclosed, to beef up training and to support increased military operations in the region.

The increase in military support comes just days after a Philippine diplomat asked that the US help convince China not to build in the nearby Scarborough Shoal, which is viewed as important to Filipino fishermen. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jnr said the Philippines is not capable of stopping China from constructing there. China has built man-made islands in other contested spots in the South China Sea.