NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Speaker Romualdez Backs PH-US Military Drills: 'It's About Defense, Not Provocation'
Photo credit: Congress PH
Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is standing firmly behind the latest joint military drills between Filipino and American troops, emphasizing that these exercises are all about strengthening the Philippines’ defensive posture—without compromising its independent foreign policy.
“These kinds of exercises are crucial in reinforcing our ability to protect our territory and our people, especially when working with trusted allies,” Romualdez said, speaking on behalf of the 306-strong House of Representatives.
But he was also quick to point out: “At the end of the day, we remain in control of our future as an independent nation.”
A major part of this current round of drills is Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2025, which kicked off last March 30 and wraps up today, April 11. It’s being led by the Philippine and US Marine Corps and includes over 470 combined forces—from US Marines and Philippine Army troops to Coast Guard officers and reservists. The focus? Rapid maritime response, coastal defense, and counter-landing operations.
“These are the critical areas we need to master—especially with the challenges we face along our coastlines,” Romualdez noted.
And it doesn’t stop there. Another set of military activities called “Salaknib”—an Ilocano word for “shield”—is also in full swing. The Philippine Army and the US Army Pacific are jointly running this two-phase exercise, with the first phase running from March 24 to April 11, and the second one coming up from May 19 to July 20.
Salaknib covers everything from communication systems and live artillery fire to sling load helicopter operations and medical evacuations.
Romualdez stressed that both MAREX and Salaknib are not meant to stir up conflict. Instead, they’re about improving coordination and readiness for things like national defense, humanitarian missions, and disaster response.
“These drills aren’t aimed at any country. They’re purely about enhancing the skills of our troops and making sure we can work well with our allies—for security and peace,” he said.
All these military exercises are taking place under the framework of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States, which Romualdez described as a pillar of Philippine defense cooperation—while still fully respecting Philippine sovereignty.
Looking ahead, the House of Representatives is committed to supporting defense modernization under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision. That means proper funding, clear guidelines, and strict monitoring.
“We back the President’s goal of modernizing our Armed Forces. The House is ready to provide the necessary budget and ensure it’s spent properly,” Romualdez promised.
Beyond just boosting defense, Romualdez believes that a stronger military can create a safer environment for investments and job creation—key elements for lifting more Filipinos out of poverty.
Lastly, the Speaker made a heartfelt call for unity:
“Our strength doesn’t just come from our Armed Forces—it comes from our unity as a people. Let’s stand together in defending our nation’s interests and sovereignty.”
“These kinds of exercises are crucial in reinforcing our ability to protect our territory and our people, especially when working with trusted allies,” Romualdez said, speaking on behalf of the 306-strong House of Representatives.
But he was also quick to point out: “At the end of the day, we remain in control of our future as an independent nation.”
A major part of this current round of drills is Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2025, which kicked off last March 30 and wraps up today, April 11. It’s being led by the Philippine and US Marine Corps and includes over 470 combined forces—from US Marines and Philippine Army troops to Coast Guard officers and reservists. The focus? Rapid maritime response, coastal defense, and counter-landing operations.
“These are the critical areas we need to master—especially with the challenges we face along our coastlines,” Romualdez noted.
And it doesn’t stop there. Another set of military activities called “Salaknib”—an Ilocano word for “shield”—is also in full swing. The Philippine Army and the US Army Pacific are jointly running this two-phase exercise, with the first phase running from March 24 to April 11, and the second one coming up from May 19 to July 20.
Salaknib covers everything from communication systems and live artillery fire to sling load helicopter operations and medical evacuations.
Romualdez stressed that both MAREX and Salaknib are not meant to stir up conflict. Instead, they’re about improving coordination and readiness for things like national defense, humanitarian missions, and disaster response.
“These drills aren’t aimed at any country. They’re purely about enhancing the skills of our troops and making sure we can work well with our allies—for security and peace,” he said.
All these military exercises are taking place under the framework of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States, which Romualdez described as a pillar of Philippine defense cooperation—while still fully respecting Philippine sovereignty.
Looking ahead, the House of Representatives is committed to supporting defense modernization under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision. That means proper funding, clear guidelines, and strict monitoring.
“We back the President’s goal of modernizing our Armed Forces. The House is ready to provide the necessary budget and ensure it’s spent properly,” Romualdez promised.
Beyond just boosting defense, Romualdez believes that a stronger military can create a safer environment for investments and job creation—key elements for lifting more Filipinos out of poverty.
Lastly, the Speaker made a heartfelt call for unity:
“Our strength doesn’t just come from our Armed Forces—it comes from our unity as a people. Let’s stand together in defending our nation’s interests and sovereignty.”
Apr 11, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
