Philippines and U.S. kick off Balikatan joint military drills
Key officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces led the opening ceremony of the Balikatan 40-2025 joint military exercise at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday, 21 April 2025. Among those present were Exercise Directors MGen. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr. and LtGen. James Glynn, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, and Col. Llewellyn Banaag. The ceremony included the unfurling of the Balikatan flag and a symbolic gesture of unity. The annual drills aim to boost interoperability, strengthen defense ties, and support regional peace and security. Analy Labor
