Secretary Manalo Joins AFP, INDOPACOM in Opening Ceremony of 40th Balikatan Exercise
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo delivers his remarks at the opening ceremony of the Balikatan 40-2025 on 21 April 2025. (Photo courtesy of US Embassy)
MANILA 24 April 2025 - Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo joined the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. Indo Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) in the opening ceremony for the 40th iteration of Exercise Balikatan (Balikatan 40-2025) held on 21 April 2025 at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club, in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
In his remarks, Secretary Manalo said Balikatan 40-2025 showcases our commitment to the mutual defense treaty and to regional security and stability. He also highlighted the growing participation in Balikatan of partner nations, including Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and UK as well as around 20 observers from the armed forces of other governments in the region and across the Pacific.
“It is clear that Balikatan also serves broader regional aspirations and priorities. This is only possible because the enduring Philippines – United States alliance is firmly anchored on the values and principles of peace, democracy, fairness, social progress, and justice,” Secretary Manalo said.
Secretary Manalo recalled the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the first Cabinet official of President Trump’s Administration to visit the Philippines, where he and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro announced their joint decision to deepen our defense industrial cooperation, deploy cutting-edge military capabilities to Balikatan and enhance our cybersecurity cooperation.
Balikatan is the largest annual bilateral exercise between the AFP and the INDOPACOM. Military personnel train together to expand and advance shared tactics, techniques, capabilities, and procedures for maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban and aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
This year’s iteration of the Balikatan with more than 14,000 participants will run until 09 May 2025 at different locations in the Philippines and will feature a full-battle test for increased interoperability and in ensuring a capable joint and combined force. END
From L-R: Air Force Col. Llewellyn Banaag, US Exercise Director LtGen. James Glynn, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, and PH Exercise Director MGen. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., at the opening ceremony of the Balikatan 40-2025.
(Photos courtesy of US Embassy)