The United States Army has proposed the conduct of large-scale military exercises with their local counterparts in the country to enhance inter-operability in combating the global threat of terrorism.
Maj. Gen. John Johnson, US Army Pacific Command deputy commanding general, made the proposal during a courtesy call on Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City Tuesday afternoon.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the exercises will be part of “Saklaknib 2020.”
Salaknib exercises is an annual army-to-army drill between Manila and Washington that began in 2015. It is part of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two nations.
“This is all about making us more ready for whatever challenges the future might hold. We are committed to this region. The design of (Salaknib 2020) exercise is purposeful in demonstrating that commitment,” Johnson said.
Under the plan, the US Army will be committing 1,500 troops, 600 more compared to the 900 troopers it deployed in last year’s exercise.
As for the Philippine Army, Zagala said it will maintain a brigade-size contingent comprising of 1,800 soldiers.
“We need to train and raise our competency for us to be more effective in our counter-terrorism,” Zagala said.
The exercise will be held in March next year in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, the home base of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, and in Crow Valley in Tarlac.