Useless exercise, only practicing shooting at the enemy. As if China is some kinda pathetic 3rd world nation who would allow you to take pot shots at it without risk of return fire. You call this preparing for the worse? There are worse things to that are not yet considered in this exercise. You call this preparing for the worse? There are worse things to that are not yet considered in this exercise.
1) China can and will shoot back. If you don't think China can hurt you, then FAFO.
2) US will abandon the PH to China's mercy. Don't even dream that the US will fight and die alongside Filipinos when the real shooting starts. Even in WWII, the US abandoned the PH to Imperial Japan. McArthur had no qualms about abandoning the Filipinos to the mercy of the IJA, as long as he saved his white Christian ass first. Sure McArthur came back, but only after the Japanese were already losing the war.
3) Limited ammunition. The PH produces 0 ammunition that it needs if it wants to shoot at PLAN forces. All of its ammunition needs to be imported. While China can produce all the ammunition it needs. This is not a shooting war the PH is even qualified to dream about.
4) Not enough vessels to do the island assault that the US trains you to do. Just like Ukraine, training with the US or NATO does not guarantee victory. You cannot do any island assault with that pitiful PH Navy. Doesn't matter how brave your marines are, once the PLAN sees them coming with the limited boats they have, they'll be in a world of hurt. How about the US Marines lending some boatsto the PH Marines? LOL! Dream on! The US Marines barely have enough boats for themselves.