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Philippine Marine Corps and US Marine Corps personnel participated in advanced rifle marksmanship training as part of Marine Exercise 2024 at the 1st Marine Brigade Firing Range in Camp Iranun, Barira, Maguindanao del Norte, on April 15, 2024.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 April) – The Balikatan Exercises, scheduled from April 20 to May 8 in various parts of the Philippines, are not a hostile act against any country, including China, according to Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo.
“The exercises are not targeted at any country. They are conducted for joint training to promote peace and stability in the region,” Endo stated during an interview at the Consulate General of Japan in Davao.
Japan is among seven participating nations, alongside the Philippines, the United States, Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand. Despite tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Endo emphasized that Balikatan aims to strengthen military interoperability and mutual understanding among troops.
Japan will deploy 1,400 Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel, along with aircraft and other assets. This marks Japan’s first full participation since the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement took effect, allowing broader engagement in the exercises.
The US Embassy announced that 17,000 personnel from seven countries will join the 18-day drills, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. Seventeen additional nations will observe.
The exercises will include advanced training in air, land, sea, space, and cyber operations, culminating in maritime security and coastal defense drills. Multilateral naval exercises will feature anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and live-fire training.
Humanitarian and civic assistance projects, including engineering and medical outreach, will also be conducted in five locations to benefit local communities. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
