Members of women's group Gabriella push anti-riot policemen as they try to move closer towards the US Embassy, during a protest demanding the pullout of US troops stations in the country, in Manila on April 17. About 8,000 US and Filipino soldiers are taking part in this year's exercises, staging mock battles and simulating disaster responses. Nearly a dozen Asian and Pacific states are also taking part in a drill that examines how to handle vessel collisions in a busy shipping lane such as the South China Sea. Reuters/Romeo Ranoco