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Facing Chinese Claims Philippines and US Army Strengthen Their Military Cooperation on a Large Scale.
On March 24, 2025, the Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) officially launched the "Salaknib and Balikatan" 2025 exercise, also known as "SABAK" 2025, during an opening ceremony at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. This large-scale exercise brings together approximately 5,000 soldiers, including 3,000 from the Philippine Army and 2,000 from USARPAC, in a series of joint training sessions designed to enhance land defense capabilities and improve interoperability between the two forces. The event was presided over by Philippine Army Vice Commander Major General Leodevic B. Guinid, alongside USARPAC’s 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commander Brigadier General Jonathan A. Velishka and other senior officers from both countries.
Soldiers from the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, and U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division conduct an opening ceremony to signal the official start of Salaknib 2025 on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, on March 24, 2025. (Picture source: US DoD)
The opening ceremony gathered over 200 military personnel from multiple nations at the Fort Magsaysay Officers’ Clubhouse. In his address, Brigadier General Velishka emphasized the significance of this exercise in reinforcing bilateral military cooperation. As Salaknib enters its tenth year, he highlighted its role in strengthening interoperability, integrating lessons from previous exercises, and adapting to evolving security challenges. Philippine Army Exercise Director Brigadier General Michael Logico underscored the value of collaboration, allowing both forces to refine their operational coordination by sharing methodologies and addressing capability gaps.
Designed as a continuous operation, "SABAK" 2025 takes place across multiple strategic locations in the Philippines and aligns with bilateral commitments to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity. The exercise focuses on improving joint and combined operations, reinforcing combat capabilities, and optimizing defense strategies in a dynamic security environment. It also incorporates humanitarian assistance training, civil protection exercises, information operations, and counterintelligence activities, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to military preparedness. As a symbolic gesture of cooperation, the opening event included a unit patch exchange and a formal salute to Brigadier General Velishka, marking the official commencement of the drills.
Participants will undergo training in key operational areas, including command and control, large-scale maneuvers, force-on-force engagements, and live-fire exercises. A significant portion of the training is dedicated to sustainment operations, a crucial component in external security scenarios. Salaknib 2025 features specialized instruction in urban and jungle warfare, aerial maneuvers, and coordinated combat exercises.
The Salaknib exercise, which falls under the broader framework of the annual Balikatan exercise, consists of two phases: The first runs from March 24 to April 11, 2025, while the second is scheduled from May 19 to July 20, 2025. Training sessions will take place at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City and in the operational areas of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) and the 7th Infantry Division (7ID). The event also highlights expert exchanges aimed at sharing best practices in training and doctrine, a point emphasized by Command Sergeant Major Lorenzo Souza of the 593rd Expeditionary Support Command. He noted that joint exercises help standardize procedures, ensuring effective coordination between allied forces both in the United States and in overseas operations.
This exercise is part of the Philippine Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance its capabilities and strengthen cooperation with strategic partners. By advancing its operational proficiency alongside US forces, the Philippine Army aims to improve its readiness to address regional security challenges and reinforce its role in national defense. Brigadier General Logico described the term "Sabak" as encapsulating the spirit of military preparedness, symbolizing the moment when a soldier readies for actional concept best demonstrated through execution rather than translation.
The military partnership between the United States and the Philippines is shaped by broader strategic concerns, particularly rising tensions in the South China Sea. In response to territorial disputes involving the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines is working to enhance its defense posture and assert its sovereignty. The United States, in turn, reaffirms its commitment to its Philippine ally through defense agreements such as the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which facilitate the rotational deployment of US forces in Philippine military installations. "SABAK" 2025 fits into this framework by strengthening interoperability and reinforcing deterrence against regional threats.
Beyond military cooperation, this partnership holds strategic importance for Washington, which seeks to maintain regional stability and counterbalance influence in the Indo-Pacific. Strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities aligns with broader US support for ASEAN allies facing external pressures. The expansion of joint exercises like "SABAK" reflects the United States' commitment to maintaining a security presence in the region and ensuring freedom of navigation in contested waters. However, the alliance remains a subject of domestic debate in the Philippines, with concerns about over-reliance on the US and the potential risks of being drawn into larger conflicts.
By deepening military cooperation through exercises like "SABAK" 2025, both armies pursue a shared objective: enhancing preparedness for emerging threats and contributing to regional stability. The training and exchanges conducted during this exercise go beyond tactical improvements, fostering a long-standing alliance built on trust and operational cohesion in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.