FULL spectrum ang magaganap na Salaknib 2026 war exercise sa susunod na taon sa pagsasanib-puwersa ng land forces ng Philippine Army, United States, Japan at Australian Army na layuning patatagin ang kanilang interoperability capability sa Indo Pacific Region.

Ayon kay Army Spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala, kailangan nating mag-level up dahil sa mga makabagong hamon na hinaharap kasabay pa sa transition ng hukbo sa External Security Operations para matiyak na magiging isang maasahang puwersa sa pagtatanggol sa bansa.

“And based on the evaluation natin of the past Salaknib exercises, we need to level up. And with the participation of () and the challenges na kinakailangan natin i-address with the Philippine Army, that’s why involve na natin ‘yung Japan and the Australian Army during the exercise,” ani Dema-ala.

Ayon sa tagapagsalita, layunin ng multilateral exercise sa pagitan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), US Army partikular ang US Army Pacific (USARPAC), kasama ang Japan at Australia, na malinang ang kanilang interoperability, strengthen capabilities, at deepen trust and cooperation sa pagitan ng mga mga Hukbong Katihan kabilang ang  humanitarian civil assistance, information operations, at counterintelligence.

“The active participation of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Australian Army in the 2026 iteration of Salaknib and our enduring relationship with the U.S. Army Pacific demonstrates the Philippine Army’s commitment to maintaining regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific,” pahayag pa ni Col. Dema-ala.

Nabatid na nakapaglatag ng kanilang plano ang tinaguriang Core-Four members para sa gaganaping 2026 Salaknib War Exercise.

Sama-samang nagsagawa ng kanilang paunang plano ang Philippine Army (PA) planners kasama ang kanilang counterparts mula sa U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), Australian Army at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) counterparts nitong nakalipas na linggo.

Ayon sa katatapos na week-long initial planning conference para sa susunod na iteration ng Salaknib annual combined exercise na tatampukan ng spectrum of military operations na ginanap sa Support Command Officers Clubhouse sa Camp Servillano, Tarlac City, na paiigtingin ang interoperability ng Core of 4.

Nabatid na sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon mula sa pagiging observers sa 2025 iteration of Exercise Salaknib, ang Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) at Australian Army ay aktibong sasali sa 2026 iteration ng Salaknib. “This reflects a broader multi-lateral defense partnership in pursuit of the shared goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” dagdag pa ni Col. Dema-ala.

(JESSE RUIZ)