Philippines, US Launch Joint Combat Drills in 'Full Battle Test' By Mikhail Flores MANILA (Reuters) -More than 14,000 Filipino and American soldiers kicked off annual military exercises on Monday ...

As many as 17,000 personnel are expected to take part in the annual "Balikatan", or "shoulder to shoulder" drills ... Washington gives US forces access to nine bases in the Philippines.

Philippines ... Washington gives US forces access to nine bases in the country. Two of those are located in Luzon's northernmost Cagayan province, which will host live-fire drills during Balikatan ...

At such a critical moment in US ... Philippines, facing the regional flashpoints of the South China Sea and Taiwan. Brigadier General Michael Logico, of the Philippine army, said the drills ...

FILE - Filipino and U.S. soldiers participate during a joint military drill called Salaknib at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines on March 31 ... "Balikatan," or "shoulder to ...

Major General Francisco Lorenzo, the exercises director for the Philippines, said the drills were not directed at any country, but could act as deterrent against conflict. "The Balikatan ...

In response to the drills ... s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — ...

The annual “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises will run for three weeks until May 9, showcasing an array of US weapons ... director for the Philippines, said the drills were not ...