By Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) wants to increase its participation for next year’s “Salaknib” exercises, Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said Wednesday.
“There is a proposed concept to expand the ‘Salaknib’ through the participation of more troops from the USARPAC. Under the proposed expansion, they shall send a whole brigade composed of about 1,700 troops for ‘Salaknib’ 2020,” he added.
“Salaknib”, which means shield in Ilocano, is anchored on the Mutual Defense Treaty and has been ongoing since 2015, he added.
“The exercise aims to enhance the capabilities and interoperability of both forces in conventional and joint and combined operations. It also aims to enhance skill competencies in counter-terrorist operations,” Zagala said.
The annual training event consists of jungle fighting; command post exercise, command-and-control; subject matter exchanges on communications and artillery; cooperative health engagement and humanitarian.
“This is an Army-to-Army exercise in preparation for the bigger exercise which is ‘Balikatan’,” Zagala said.
This year, around 900 American soldiers participated in the “Salaknib” exercises which was held in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva.
Zagala said the PA as part of its modernization and reorganization, will organize territorial defense divisions with brigade combat teams as its main maneuver force.
He said the PA participates in exercises with the USARPAC to gain knowledge necessary for the capability development of its own Brigade Combat Team.
Last December, PA activated its 1st Brigade Combat Team and Zagala said the Army intends to activate its 2nd Brigade Combat Team this year.
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