Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos last month jogged out of his office and broke into impromptu jumping jacks in an attempt to dispel rumours he was paralysed, dying of late-stage cancer, or dead.

A few minutes later, cheers from the VIP pavilion confirmed that the Japanese Type 88s had hit their target, sinking a decommissioned Philippine ship about 46 miles away. Last week’s mock attack marked the first time Japan has fired the missile outside its own borders.

Philippine officials say two Americans were among 19 suspected communist guerrillas, who were killed in clashes with Filipino troops in a central province a week ago.

American and Filipino forces, with troops from five other nations, wrapped up the annual Balikatan exercise in the Philippines.