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The US, Philippines hold the largest Balikatan joint exercise ever

Thousands of US and Philippine troops today (March 28) kicked off the largest joint exercise ever.

According to the AP news agency, the exercise called Balikatan (Shoulder to shoulder) will take place from March 28 to April 8 with the participation of about 9,000 troops from the two countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, General Andres Centino, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the exercise showed the deepening alliance relationship between the two sides.

The United States, the Philippines have the largest joint exercise ever
The symbolic flag of the exercise. Photo: AP

“The U.S. military and armed forces of the Philippines will jointly exercise to expand and enhance shared tactics, techniques, and processes to enhance each other’s resilience and preparedness to new challenges. reality,” said Major General Jay Bargeron, commander of the US 3rd Marine Division.

The United States, the Philippines have the largest joint exercise ever
The opening ceremony of the joint exercise Balikatan on March 28. Photo: AP

The Balikatan exercises have been held every year since 1991. However, these exercises have recently been canceled or scaled down due to the impact of the pandemic. Covid-19 pandemic.

The United States, the Philippines have the largest joint exercise ever
American and Filipino soldiers salute the flag. Photo: AP

Major General Kurt Stahl of the US 3rd Marine Division said most of the exercises take place in the northern Philippines. Several other military operations were held on the island of Palawan, as well as an air defense exercise in the western part of the island of Luzon.

The United States, the Philippines have the largest joint exercise ever
Photo: AP

Colonel Ramon Zagala, a spokesman for the Philippine military, stated that this operation was planned a year ago and was only for defensive purposes, not to increase tensions in the region.

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