U.S., Japanese and Philippine coast guard ships have staged law enforcement drills in waters near the disputed South China Sea as Washington presses efforts to reinforce alliances in Asia amid an incr

Small boats of armed men in grey camouflage fatigues and balaclavas speed towards a Philippine ship before climbing aboard and scanning the deck with small rifles at the ready. Moments later, its crew are marched away with their hands on their heads,

U.S., Japanese and Philippine coast guard ships have staged law enforcement drills in waters near the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippines and its top security allies, the United States and Japan held maritime enforcement, and search and rescue maneuvers during their first-ever joint coast guard exercises Tuesday near the disputed South China Sea.