Troops from the Philippines and the US on 7 May began a series of joint military exercises designed to hone their collaboration skills in anti-terrorism and humanitarian assistance.

Servicemen from the Philippines and the US in a joint military drill (Photo: AFP/VNA)

According to Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana, the 12-day “Balikatan 2018” drill focuses on interoperability training to address traditional and non-traditional concerns.

Some 5,000 marines, naval soldiers and airmen from the Philippines and 3,000 US servicemen are joining in the drill, which is conducted in several locations on main Luzon island, he added.

The annual Balikatan drill is the most comprehensive among several annual or regular US-Philippines joint military exercises.

(Source: VNA)