Philippines, US start 'Salaknib' military exercises

The Philippines and the United States began their military exercises in the country on Monday, March 13.

More than 1,000 Filipino soldiers and more than 2,000 American soldiers are taking part in the military exercises dubbed Salaknib Exercise 2023 (SN23), according to a report on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Philippine Army Commanding General Romeo Brawner Jr. and US Army Commanding General Xavier Brunson graced the opening ceremony held at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

The exercises aim to increase the skills of soldiers in air and shoreline defense, Brawner said.

The American soldiers will also help in community projects, he added.

"The Salaknib exercise is an Army-to-Army annual exercise that started in 2016," the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a Facebook post on Monday.

"It aims to strengthen Filipino and American soldiers' interoperability in various military operations," the AFP added.

The military exercises will run from March 13 to April 4.

The AFP said it will cover small arms maneuvers, live fire exercises (LFX), jungle training events, artillery and mortar LFX events, as well as engineering and construction projects. —KG, GMA Integrated News