Combat exercises between the United States and the Philippines will proceed as planned, unaffected by America's focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. This assurance came from Major General Marcus Evans, commanding general of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division, during an interview with The Associated Press.
The Biden administration has been strengthening military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region in order to build deterrence and counter China's influence. This includes preparing for any potential confrontation over Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea. However, concerns have arisen that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict might divert military resources intended for the region, hindering America's pivot to Asia and the Pacific.
General Evans addressed these concerns, stating that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East do not impact the U.S.' presence in the Indo-Pacific region. In fact, he emphasized that it drives an increased sense of urgency to focus on the partnerships that have been developed over the decades. With 12,000 soldiers under his command, General Evans is committed to building on these unique training opportunities.
During his visit to Manila for talks with his Philippine army counterparts, General Evans discussed the upcoming large-scale combat exercises between the U.S. and Philippine forces. These annual drills include the Salaknib and Balikatan exercises. Salaknib, which are army-to-army drills, were first held in the Philippines in 2016. Balikatan, a Tagalog term for shoulder-to-shoulder, involved over 17,600 military personnel in April 2023, making it the largest combat exercise in decades.
Last year's Balikatan exercises saw some drills take place in Philippine coastal areas across the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, which drew criticism from China. However, General Evans confirmed that this year's exercises will remain consistent in scope. They will include jungle training, and a contingent from a Hawaii-based combat readiness center will participate in a focused evaluation exercise to assess the ability of the allied forces to operate together.
General Evans highlighted the importance of the unfolding conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as sources of valuable lessons for the allied troops in the Philippines. He emphasized that they are actively learning and understanding the challenges being faced. The ability to be small and undetectable, move quickly, and project forward are skills that will be further developed through training.
The commitment to the alliance between the United States and the Philippines was reiterated by General Evans. He mentioned that Washington expressed its support to the Philippines during recent territorial faceoffs with China in the South China Sea. The United States remains committed to defending the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, in the event of armed attacks on Filipino forces, ships, and aircraft.
As the combat exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines continue, both nations recognize the responsibility to enhance their readiness. General Evans emphasized the collective effort to stay prepared and emphasized the importance of being more ready today than yesterday.
The ongoing partnership between the United States and the Philippines serves as a crucial deterrent in the Indo-Pacific region, ensuring stability and promoting peace amidst rising tensions.
