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Philippines Stresses “Sovereign Choice” As China Slams First Drill With US Beyond Territorial Waters China warned the Philippines that resorting to external forces in maritime disputes would only “aggravate tensions” in the South China Sea. Beijing's warning came ahead of the upcoming Philippine-US drills, which will be the first to be held outside the Philippines’ territorial waters. Forces from both the nations will carry out their first-ever military exercises outside the Southeast Asian country’s territorial waters. The annual Balikatan or “shoulder-to-shoulder” drills will run from April 22 to May 10 and feature several firsts, said Army Colonel Michael Logico.