Philippines, US begin joint annual drill with 5,000 troops

ISTANBUL

The Philippines and US armies commenced their annual joint military exercises on Monday, involving approximately 5,000 military personnel, the Philippine Army announced.

The joint drill, known as Balikatan or “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is centered on territorial defense and the execution of large-scale force deployments, according to a statement by the Philippine Army.

The opening ceremony, held at Fort Magsaysay in the central Nueva Ecija region, featured Maj. Gen. Leodevic B. Guinid, a senior Philippine Army commander.

“The exercise, designed as a continuous operation, focuses on enhancing combined/joint all-domain operations, reinforcing warfighting capabilities, and showcasing a strong bilateral commitment to safeguarding the Philippines' territorial integrity,” the statement said.

Approximately 3,000 Philippine Army personnel and 2,000 US Army Pacific troops are participating in the drills, engaging in various combat training exercises.

Phase 1 of the exercise is scheduled to take place from March 24 to April 11, 2025, while Phase 2 will be conducted from May 19 to July 20, 2025, both at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.