US Marine Brig. Gen. Craig Timberlake says the exercise Sunday in the coastal town of San Antonio in Zambales province will allow the military allies to operate jointly in a range of scenarios, including responding to disasters.

He refused to discuss whether or not the drill was related to concerns over China’s growing naval power.

A Marine spokesman says China is not an imaginary target in the annual exercise.

The Philippines has sought US help to strengthen its military amid a territorial spat with China, including over the Scarborough Shoal off Zambales.