The Philippine Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducted their first combined live-fire drills on May 1 and 2 at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Tarlac. Over 200 soldiers participated as part of Exercise Salaknib. Japan joined the annual exercise for the first time.
The drills took place at the lahar fields of Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac. Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said more than 200 troops from the 1st Tank Battalion participated, using four Sabrah Light Tanks. Around 40 troops from the JGSDF Recon Combat Battalion, 12th Brigade, joined with four Maneuver Combat Vehicles.
Dema-ala stated the live-fire exercise followed a tactical scenario involving locating the enemy, fixing their position, and destroying the target. “Troops also rehearsed safety protocols, including troubleshooting procedures in the event of a misfire or weapon malfunction with appropriate corrective actions taken to ensure operational safety and mission continuity,” he said.
The drills were witnessed by Philippine Army vice commander Maj. Gen. Efren Morados, Armor Division commander Brig. Gen. Ronel Manalo, JGSDF 12th Brigade deputy brigade commander Col. Yoshifumi Ogura, Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces executive director Undersecretary Antonio Habulan, and US Army Pacific commander Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees.
Salaknib 2026 supports the Army’s transition to External Security Operations through combined operations with the US Army Pacific and partner armies. The Salaknib Phase is scheduled for May to June 2026 following Exercise Balikatan on May 8.