Philippines and United States Conduct Joint Military Exercises Amid Regional Tensions
The Philippines and the United States have commenced the initial phase of "Salaknib," an annual joint military exercise focusing on land defense operations. The drills, which began on March 24, 2025, involve approximately 5,000 soldiers—3,000 from the Philippine Army and 2,000 from the U.S. Army Pacific. This first phase is scheduled to continue until April 11, with a subsequent phase planned from May 15 to July 20.
The exercises aim to enhance interoperability between the two forces, emphasizing tactics, techniques, and procedures pertinent to territorial defense. Training activities include live-fire exercises, counter-terrorism operations, and humanitarian assistance drills. These collaborative efforts are designed to strengthen the longstanding defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
The commencement of "Salaknib" occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly concerning territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Both nations have expressed a commitment to upholding regional stability and ensuring freedom of navigation in international waters. The joint exercises serve as a demonstration of this commitment and a reinforcement of their mutual defense treaty obligations.
In addition to military drills, the collaboration encompasses knowledge sharing on disaster response and mitigation strategies, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the alliance. As the exercises progress, they are expected to contribute significantly to the operational readiness and strategic coordination between the Philippine and U.S. armed forces.
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