Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine and US militaries are set to hold their annualjoint exercises Balikatan on May 8, announced the US Embassy in Manila on April24.
Ina statement, the embassy said that the exercises will run until May 19 onmultiple locations in the Luzon Island and the Visayas region in centralPhilippines.
Forcesfrom Australia and Japan will join in major training activities. The armed forcesof the Philippines has invited military forces from several other nations to observe.
Thestatement did not mention the number of soldiers participating in the drills.
Thetwo countries conduct three major joint drills and 28 minor cross trainingexercises annually, with Balikatan the biggest and most comprehensive.-VNA