Expanded PH-US drills good for defending territory — Romualdez

The expanded military training between the Philippines and the United States will help in the administration’s bid to tighten the defense of the country’s territory, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Friday, April 11, 2025. FILE PHOTO: Official website of the House of Representatives / congress.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines — The expanded military drills between the Philippines and the United States will help in the administration’s bid to tighten the defense of the country’s territory, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Friday.

Romualdez, in a statement, was referring to the latest round of military drills involving Filipino and American soldiers, including the Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2025, which started last March 30 and is slated to end by Friday.

According to the Speaker, the PH-US drills will help the country bolster its defensive capabilities without compromising its independent foreign policy.

“Ang mga ganitong pagsasanay ay mahalaga para maging matatag ang kakayahan nating protektahan ang ating teritoryo at ang ating mga mamamayan sa pakikipagtulungan sa ating mga kaibigan,” Romualdez said.

(These kinds of trainings are essential to strengthen our capabilities to protect our territory and our people by working with our allies.)

“Gayunman, mahalagang tandaan na tayo pa rin ang may hawak ng ating kinabukasan bilang isang bansang nagsasarili,” he added.

(Even so, it is essential to remember that our future is in our hands as a country that stands independent.)

Romualdez said MAREX 2025 involves 179 US Marines, 189 Philippine Marine Corps personnel, 57 Philippine Army soldiers, 11 Coast Guard officers, and 40 reservists. Training focuses on maritime rapid response, counter-landing operations, and coastal defense.

Aside from MAREX, Salaknib — which is an Ilocano term meaning “shield” — is also taking place under the auspices of the Philippine Army (PA) and the US Army Pacific (USARPAC).

READ: Military drills of US, PH expand to VisMin, West Philippine Sea

These trainings, Romualdez said, are proof that both countries are committed to and invested in maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Sa ganitong paraan, matutugunan natin ang mga kritikal na aspeto ng depensa ng ating bansa lalo na sa ating mga baybayin,” he said.

(In this manner, we can meet the critical aspects of our defense, especially territorial security involving our shorelines.)

“Ang mga pagsasanay ito ay hindi patungkol kaninuman. Ang tanging layunin nito ay ang pagpapalakas ng kasanayan ng ating mga tropa at pagpapahusay ng koordinasyon sa ating mga kaalyado para sa seguridad at kapayapaan,” he added.

(These trainings are not aimed at anyone.  The only goal of these trainings is to sharpen the skills and capabilities of our troops, and to enhance coordination with our allies for security and peacetime purposes.)

Last March 28, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US would deploy additional advanced assets to the Philippines, including the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and unmanned surface vessels, as part of this year’s Balikatan exercises.

Hegseth said the deployment of assets was part of the US’ “ongoing $500 million commitment in foreign military financing and other security assistance to support the Philippines’ military modernization.”

READ: Hegseth: US deploying more advanced assets to PH for Balikatan

Romualdez, meanwhile, said that under his leadership the House will allocate sufficient funding for the country’s defense modernization.

“Suportado namin ang layunin ni Pangulong (Bongbong) Marcos na maisulong ang modernisasyon ng ating Sandatahang Lakas. Handa kaming maglaan ng karampatang pondo para dito at masusi naming babantayan ang paggamit para masigurong maayos ang implementasyon,” he said.

(We support the goal of President (Bongbong) Marcos to push for the modernization of the armed forces.  We are ready to set aside the appropriate funding for this, and we would keenly monitor the usage of these funds to ensure that this is implemented properly.)

“Patuloy tayong magkaisa sa pagtatangol sa interes ng ating bansang Pilipinas. Ang ating lakas ay hindi lamang nakasalalay sa pwersa ng ating Sandatahang Lakas kundi pati na rin sa ating pagkakaisa bilang mamamayan,” he added.

(We continue to unite in defending our country’s interests.  Our strength is not reliant on the Armed Forces only, but on the united stand of our people.)