The Philippines and the United States (US) wrapped up this year's 40th iteration of Exercise Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) on Friday, improving their training capability objectives on joint sea-control and sea-denial operations.

Speaking during the Balikatan closing ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, said the Balikatan Exercise has stood as a testament to the strength of the US and the Philippine alliance — "rooted in shared values and beliefs, shaped by history, and vital to the future of a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific."

"This year, we reaffirmed a critical truth. Our alliances and partnerships are a strategic advantage in any scenario, be it conflict, crisis, or humanitarian response," he added.

Cederholm noted that the complexity of the Balikatan Exercise tested the Philippine and US armed forces' tactical and operational interoperability.

"We enhanced our logistical strength through a successful combined joint logistics over the shore operations, demonstrating our ability to sustain combat power without fixed force, a critical capability in this region," he said.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the recently concluded Balikatan military drills demonstrated the joint capabilities of both Philippine and US forces "ranging from live fire operations and cyber defense to maritime security activities and humanitarian assistance efforts."

"Balikatan is not merely a series of military exercises. It is a demonstration of enduring partnerships and collaborative resolve. It embodies our collective readiness to act in unison, underscoring that our greatest strength lies in unity," he added.

In a separate press conference, Cederholm believes that both Philippine and US forces have met their training objectives for this year's Balikatan war games.

"We met our training objectives, and we met them very well, and we even exceeded our training objectives from the beginning. Do I think Sea Control and Sea Denial are important staples in the defense of the Philippine Archipelago? I really do," he noted.

Cederholm mentioned the use of US military assets, including Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), Spyder missile range, self-propelled surface-to-air Avenger weapon system, and NMESIS (Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) and mid-range capability "Typhon" missile system, have helped improve the ability of both forces to operate sea-control and sea-denial missions.

Deter malign actor

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. noted that conducting military exercises is crucial to show strength and unity, which can discourage the country’s adversaries from violating international rules and threatening peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

“And these exercises together with exercises of, with and amongst our partners and future partners are part of those fence posts that we need to build in order to deter any malign actor from interfering with what international law provides each and every one of us,” he said.

Teodoro emphasized that next year’s focus will go beyond simply conducting military exercises — it will delve into the strategic purpose behind them, examining why joint training happens and what it truly aims to achieve.

"So, next year will not merely be an exercise in execution and choice of exercises, but we will go deep down into the assumptions on why you are training shoulder to shoulder to do a particular activity,” he added.

Teodoro said the annual Exercise Balikatan “will enhance” Philippines-US interoperability, “not only on the tactical level, but more importantly on the operational and, of course, on the strategic levels too."

The AFP has simulated a "full battle test" with the US Armed Forces from 21 February to 9 May during the Exercise Balikatan 40-2025.