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Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star
May 4, 2025 | 12:00am
Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, chief of the Combined Joint Information Bureau of Exercise Balikatan 40-2025, said the drills gave both forces another chance to improve interoperability.
Walter Bollozos
MANILA, Philippines — Complementing their training in weaponry, Filipino and US troops engaged in martial arts in Basco, Batanes as part of their joint drills last week, which included mortar firing, on day 12 of the Balikatan exercises.
Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, chief of the Combined Joint Information Bureau of Exercise Balikatan 40-2025, said the drills gave both forces another chance to improve interoperability.
During the drills, personnel from Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 of the 4th Marine Brigade conducted lectures and actual training in Pekiti-Tirsia Kali with the US Marine Corps in Barangay San Antonio.
Salgado said the activity featured lectures and hands-on drills under the Philippine Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, highlighting Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, a Filipino martial art technique.
Salgado said both forces also conducted a joint 81mm mortar gun drill focusing on improving the tactical proficiency of both forces in employing indirect fire support.
“It also served as a platform to exchange fire direction procedures and sharpen combat coordination,” he added, noting the activities “underscore the strong defense ties between the Philippine and United States forces and highlight a shared commitment to regional security, interoperability and mutual readiness.”
Last Friday, Salgado said Joint Task Force-West (JTFW) Surface, Ground and Air Components carried out an Amphibious Landing Rehearsal in the vicinity of Brooke’s Point, Palawan.
He said the activity was in preparation for the Amphibious Assault drill scheduled today in Malaking Ilog, Balabac, Palawan.
He explained that the operation forms part of the Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations or MKTSO, a critical component of Balikatan focused on securing strategically important coastal and littoral areas.
“By practicing in the unique geography of Palawan, forces gain operational familiarity with vital terrain in the region, reinforcing collective defense capabilities,” Salgado said.
The Balikatan exercises end on May 9. The annual joint drills, with over 14,000 participants from the Philippines, the US and other allied nations, began on April 21.
