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Philippines, US start largest-ever joint military drills

The Philippines and the US kicked off their largest-ever joint military drills on the former’s Luzon Island on March 28.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines and the US kicked offtheir largest-ever joint military drills on the former’s Luzon Islandon March 28.

The 12-day exercises, codenamed “Balikatan”, involve nearly 9,000 personnel ofboth sides, focusing on maritime security, amphibiousoperation, live-fire training, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistanceand disaster relief.

The drills, which are an annual affair but werecancelled or curtailed during the pandemic, are the last under outgoing PhilippinePresident Rodrigo Duterte.

Philippine military chief General Andres Centinosaid at the opening ceremony in Manila that the largest round of the Balikatan exercisesreflects the "deepening alliance" between the two countries.

Meanwhile, US Major General Jay Bargeron saidthe "friendship and trust" between their respective armed forces willallow them to "succeed together across the entire spectrum of militaryoperations"./.
VNA
#Philippines #Luzon #Philippine military chief General Andres Centino #Balikatan #Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte #Vietnam #Vietnam news #Vietnam News Agency
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