Filipino soldiers fired artillery in a joint drill with military allies as the Philippines faces territorial threats from China.

Footage shows troops launching a volley from howitzers during the live-fire exercise along the coast of Ilocos Norte in northern Philippines, on June 4.

The multinational training, called 'Kamandag', is held annually between the US and Philippines armies.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement: 'The exercise demonstrated seamless coordination between air and ground units, with 105mm and 155mm howitzers, Light Armored Vehicles, and AW109 helicopters from the Naval Air Wing all playing key roles.

'Observed by military partners from the U.S., France, Netherlands, and Thailand, the event underscored KAMANDAG's growing importance in strengthening regional security and joint force cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.'

The United States and the Philippines are treaty allies under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, pledging mutual support in case of an armed attack in the Pacific.

The significance of the alliance has been underscored amid escalating territorial tensions between the Philippines and neighbouring China over parts of the South China Sea.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.