Filipino Army troops started exercises with American soldiers April 16 at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija as part of Salaknib 2026 military exercise aimed to enhance the readiness against threat to the region’s peace and stability.
Soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Japan are also participating on Salaknib Phase I.
The Americans showcased their High Mobility Rocket System (HIMARS) during a joint live-fire exercise last Thursday.
Philippine Army vice commander Maj. Gen. Efren Morados said activities such as Salaknib are about learning from one soldier to another “guided by a clear and strategic purpose to strengthen combined arms operations, deepen multi-domain interoperability, and reinforce a credible and resilient regional security architecture.”
US 25th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees said Salaknib underscores Philippines and U.S. long-term alliance to “ensure peace, deter aggression, and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
“Salaknib” is an Ilocano word for “shield.”
Photos and videos by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files.