Manila, March 24 -- The Philippine Army (PA) and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) on Monday kicked off the 'Salaknib and Balikatan' Exercises (SABAK) 2025, aimed at enhancing land defense capabilities.

PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, in a statement, said PA vice commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid led the opening of the drills at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Some 5,000 soldiers --3,000 from the PA and 2,000 from the USARPAC-- are participating in the 'Salaknib' portion of the exercise.

"'SABAK' 2025 brings together the PA and USARPAC forces in a robust joint exercise across key locations in the Philippines. The exercise, designed as a continuous operation, focuses on enhancing combined/joint all-domain operations, reinforc...