Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines and theUnited States on May 8 began their annual joint military exercise named “Balikatan”(Shoulder-to-shoulder).
Exercise spokesman Celeste Frank Sayson saidthat this year’s drill gathers about 2,800 Philippine troops and 2,600 UStroops.
Soldiers from Japan and Australia are alsotaking part in the exercise, he stated.
This year’s exercise, scheduled to lastuntil May 19, focuses on humanitarian and disaster response operations, andsearch and rescue activities in urban areas in Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Isabela andSamar provinces.
Last year, more than 10,000 soldiers joinedthe military exercise, which for years included live-fire exercises andamphibious landing exercises.
After coming to power in June last year,Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the 2017 exercises would bethe last. However, the Philippine military confirmed last month that theexercises would go ahead without live-fire exercises.
The two countries hold three military drillseach year, with Balikatan the largest.-VNA
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Illustrative image (Source: Reuters/VNA) 
