Ang Pahayagan

NUEVA ECIJA — In a strong display of joint force cooperation and alliance building, the Philippine Army officially concluded Exercise SALAKNIB 2025 on Monday through a flag-raising ceremony and culminating activities held at Fort Magsaysay, together with partner forces from the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC).

The ceremony was led by Lieutenant General Roy M. Galido, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, and was attended by personnel from key Army units including the 7th Infantry Division, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), 5th Infantry Division, Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), First Scout Ranger Regiment, and the Civil-Military Operations Regiment.

In his message, Lt. Gen. Galido emphasized the critical role of discipline, unity, and professionalism across all ranks, highlighting that these values remain essential to delivering excellence in both national defense and disaster response missions.

The event also marked the formal conclusion of Exercise SALAKNIB 2025, a bilateral military training between the Philippine Army and USARPAC, aimed at enhancing interoperability, joint mission planning, combined arms operations, and command-and-control proficiency under diverse operational scenarios.

“Today marks the successful conclusion of SALAKNIB 2025 — a testament to our shared commitment to peace, stability, and preparedness in the region. This success goes beyond operational training; it reflects the deepening alliance and enduring camaraderie between our nations,” Lt. Gen. Galido said.

 SALAKNIB, meaning “shield” in Ilocano, is an annual exercise that underscores the long-standing defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States. It focuses on strengthening combined capabilities to respond to both conventional threats and humanitarian missions.

Following the ceremony, soldiers from both armies gathered for a boodle fight — a traditional Filipino military feast that symbolizes equality, unity, and shared brotherhood, reinforcing interpersonal ties beyond the training ground.

With the successful completion of SALAKNIB 2025, the Philippine Army reaffirmed its dedication to modernization, regional cooperation, and readiness — solidifying its role as a dependable partner in maintaining peace and security across the Indo-Pacific. (Jason de Asis)