U.S. Navy Rear Admiral William Merz delivers a statements during the opening ceremony of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 at navy headquarters in Puerto Princesa city, Palawan, west Philippines June 22, 2015. The Philippines will hold separate naval exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces this week on a Philippine island that is not far from the disputed Spratly archipelago, where China’s rapid creation of seven island outposts is stoking regional tensions. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco