Around 5,000 Philippine and US Army troops to join this year's Salaknib bilateral exercise which will kick off on Monday until May 9.

Col. Louie Dema-ala, Army spokesman said "more or less 3,000 Philippine Army personnel" and around "2,000 US Army" troops will join the tenth iteration of the combined Exercise Salaknib whose opening ceremony will be held at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Monday.

Dema-ala said "Salaknib, which means “shield” in Ilocano, and the broader joint Exercise Balikatan, are testaments to the enduring alliance between the Philippines and the United States."

Prior to the opening of the Salaknib, the US and Philippine Army also conducted a subject matter expert exchange on equipment maintenance of the bilateral exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on March 16.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido also highlighted the importance of sustaining and expanding the scope of training exercises between the Philippine Army and United States Army Pacific under Salaknib.

“Together, PA and USARPAC stand united under the shield of Salaknib, committed to preserving peace and safeguarding the shared values that bind our nations,” Galido said. Robina Asido/DMS