PH, US armies in major joint exercise
FILIPINO and American troops will test their readiness and interoperability as the 19-day Salaknib and Balikatan Exercises 2025 or "Sabak" kicked off Monday in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. Philippine Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said Salaknib, a broader part of Balikatan, brings together Philippine Army and US Army Pacific (Usarpac) forces in a robust joint exercise in key locations in the Philippines. It will open with a simple ceremony led by Army Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid. The exercise focuses on enhancing combined/joint all-domain operations, reinforcing war-fighting capabilities, and showcasing a strong bilateral commitment to safeguarding the Philippines' territorial integrity, Dema-ala said. The primary objective is to strengthen defense readiness, and provide critical training in humanitarian civil assistance, information operations, counter-intelligence, and protection. There will be drills to enhance tackle capability enhancement on operational Command and Control, Combined Arms Force-on-Force, Large-scale Operational Maneuvers, Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise, and Sustainment Operations in support of External Security Operations. Phase 1 will be conducted from March 24 to April 11. Phase 2 will be from May 19 to July 20 in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, and the area of operation of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) and the 7ID. "Through joint exercises like Sabak 2025, the army further solidifies its readiness to respond to evolving threats and upholds its vital role in the nation's land defense as part of the AFP's broader mission in external security operations," Dema-ala said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
FILIPINO and American troops will test their readiness and interoperability as the 19-day Salaknib and Balikatan Exercises 2025 or "Sabak" kicked off Monday in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
Philippine Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said Salaknib, a broader part of Balikatan, brings together Philippine Army and US Army Pacific (Usarpac) forces in a robust joint exercise in key locations in the Philippines.
It will open with a simple ceremony led by Army Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid.
The exercise focuses on enhancing combined/joint all-domain operations, reinforcing war-fighting capabilities, and showcasing a strong bilateral commitment to safeguarding the Philippines' territorial integrity, Dema-ala said.
The primary objective is to strengthen defense readiness, and provide critical training in humanitarian civil assistance, information operations, counter-intelligence, and protection.
There will be drills to enhance tackle capability enhancement on operational Command and Control, Combined Arms Force-on-Force, Large-scale Operational Maneuvers, Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise, and Sustainment Operations in support of External Security Operations.
Phase 1 will be conducted from March 24 to April 11. Phase 2 will be from May 19 to July 20 in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, and the area of operation of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) and the 7ID.
"Through joint exercises like Sabak 2025, the army further solidifies its readiness to respond to evolving threats and upholds its vital role in the nation's land defense as part of the AFP's broader mission in external security operations," Dema-ala said.
