President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. observed on Wednesday, April 26, the live-fire sea drills of Philippine and American forces as part of this year’s Balikatan exercises in San Antonio, Zambales.
Part of the Combined Joint Littoral Live Fire Exercise was the sinking of the decommissioned BRP Pangasinan of the Philippine Navy positioned 12 nautical miles off San Antonio waters.
Marcos also witnessed the firing of rocket launcher High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for distant targets.
Malacañang said around 1,400 military, sailors, and coast guard personnel of the two countries participated in the activities that involved the detection, identification, targeting, and engagement of a target ground and air-based weapons systems.
Also mobilized in the exercises wereAH-64 Apache attack helicopters, Philippine Air Force FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter-attack aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcons, United States (US) Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighters, and the US Air Force Special Operations Command AC- 130 Spectre gunship.
Citing military officials from both countries, Malacañang said the event demonstrated both countries’ commitment to boost military capabilities and interoperability.
Marcos was joined by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Zambales 2nd District Rep. Doris Maniquiz, and Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.
Also present were Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford, and US Exercise Director LtGen. William Jurney. AG – gb