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Philippines, US armies kick off 'Sabak' joint exercise
The Philippine Army (PA) and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) have initiated Exercise "Sabak" 2025, a series of drills designed to bolster land defense capabilities.
Approximately 5,000 soldiers, comprising 3,000 from the PA and 2,000 from the USARPAC, are participating in the exercises, which combine the 'Salaknib' and 'Balikatan' components.
The opening ceremony for Exercise Sabak, held at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, was spearheaded by PA Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid and USARPAC 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. Jonathan Velishka.
The drills aim to improve combined/joint all-domain operations, strengthen warfighting abilities, and demonstrate a firm bilateral commitment to protecting the Philippines' territorial integrity.
Participants will engage in capability enhancement on operational command and control (C2), combined arms force-on-force, large-scale operational maneuvers, combined arms live fire exercise, and sustainment operations.
The exercises will also provide critical training in humanitarian civil assistance, information operations, counter-intelligence, and protection.
The initial phase of 'Salaknib' is scheduled from March 24 to April 11, with a second phase running from May 15 to July 20.
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