TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —A U.S.-Philippine military exercise near Taiwan, on Wednesday (May 8) sank a retired Chinese-made Philippine naval vessel.

The joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" is nearing its conclusion, with about 2,000 Filipino and American troops conducting live-fire exercises Wednesday in the province of Ilocos Norte, about 400 km south of Taiwan, reported CNA. This included targeting a simulated enemy ship anchored 8.5 nautical miles (15.7 km) off the coast.

Omar Al Assaf, chief planner of the exercise, told CNA that about 1,500 Filipino soldiers and 500 American soldiers participated in Wednesday's drill. The exercise involved maritime assaults conducted by the air force, navy, and ground artillery and with “a mission of trying to prevent an aggressor from landing on the Philippine soil.”

Assaf said the Philippine Navy's Fast-Attack Interdiction Craft (FAIC) launched the first assault firing Spike Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) missiles, hitting the upper structure of the decommissioned Philippine navy tanker, the BRP Lake Caliraya.

He said the Philippine Air Force then dispatched AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters to fire on the mock enemy ship, while the Philippine navy frigate launched C-Star anti-ship missiles acquired from South Korea, hitting the aft of the BRP Lake Caliraya, causing the vessel to slowly sink.

Assaf noted the Philippine Air Force's FA-50 and the US Air Force's F-16 aircraft launched AGM-65 Maverick missiles and GBU-54 guided bombs, repeatedly hitting the upper structure of the ship. A U.S. AC-130 gunship then fired 105 mm howitzer rounds, and finally, the Philippine artillery fired 155mm howitzer rounds.

At a press conference Tuesday (May 7) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (林劍) said: "Relevant countries should cease all maritime infringements and provocations, refrain from stirring up conflict and do more things that are conducive to promoting regional peace and stability, rather than using mental victory methods to comfort oneself."

However, Assaf, when interviewed Wednesday, said: “Defending the country is our job, not just for specific individuals or countries.” He added, "Whether they (China) are there or not, we will do this (conduct military exercises)."