AFP chief praises 'Balikatan' drills for US-PH military ties

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. praised this year's 'Balikatan' drills for showcasing joint military capabilities between Filipino and American forces.

The three-week exercises, which concluded on Friday, involved about 14,000 troops from participating nations and focused on various activities including live-fire operations, cyber defense, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.

Brawner highlighted that the most significant outcome of 'Balikatan' was the enhanced mutual trust and commitment to shared security goals among participating nations.

The AFP chief emphasized the importance of unity in ensuring regional peace, stability, and resilience across the Indo-Pacific Region.

Beyond military exercises, 'Balikatan' also supported humanitarian initiatives such as education, medical care, and local development, contributing positively to community building.