The Philippine Army (PA) and the US Armed Forces in the Pacific have launched the first phase of the Salaknib and Balikatan 2025 joint exercise aimed at strengthening defence capabilities, Philippine media reported, citing Army spokesman Col. Louis Dema-ala.
According to the colonel, the first phase of the Salaknib manoeuvres will be held from March 24 to April 11 and the second phase from May 15 to July 20. They will involve 3,000 Filipino and 2,000 US military personnel. Exercise Balikatan is scheduled from late April to mid-May.
According to Dema-ala, the exercises will be conducted in the form of a continuous operation. They are aimed at “enhancing combat capabilities and demonstrating a strong bilateral commitment to defend the territorial integrity of the Philippines.”
During the manoeuvres, military personnel from the two countries will practice joint actions during defence, as well as exchange experiences in civilian assistance and counter-intelligence activities.
Exercise Salaknib began in 2016 and is an annual exercise between the two treaty allies, part of the broader Balikatan (Shoulder to Shoulder) exercise.
