MARITIME EXERCISE. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla faces the media in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on Tuesday (May 7, 2024). Filipino and American soldiers are in the province for the “Balikatan” military exercises. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reiterated on Tuesday it will not allow any foreign power to infringe on the country’s sovereignty.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters at a press conference here on Tuesday that the military will continue the fight against insurgency while "we shift to external security."
“We have so many issues over and above the West Philippine Sea but we would like to join hands together in a whole of nation approach towards a greater challenge that we are facing, which is external defense,” Padilla said.
She added that the AFP’s approach is driven by its duty to protect the nation and to work with allies to ensure a "stable and secure environment for everyone."
Military troops of the Philippines and the United States are in Ilocos Norte for the Exercise Balikatan.
As of this posting, combined forces are pre-positioned at the Metro La Paz sand dunes for a maritime exercise which will be staged Wednesday at 8 a.m.
The main goal of the military exercise is to strike a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship to enhance its tactics, techniques, and procedures across a wide range of military operations.
This year’s Balikatan advances combined military modernization and capability development.
The annual drills will officially end Friday with participation by the Australian Defense Force and the French Navy.
“Their inclusion brings value to the exercise by increasing defense cooperation amongst regional allies and partners,” read a statement from the AFP.
Representatives from Japan, South Korea, India, Canada, United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Germany and New Zealand were invited as observers. (PNA)
