(21 Apr 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Manila, Philippines – 21 April 2025
1. Various of soldiers holding Philippines and US flags entering hall
2. Various of soldiers saluting during the Philippines national anthem
3. Various of soldiers saluting during the US national anthem
4. Media
5. Soldiers placing patch for annual Balikatan military exercises on arms
6. Japan flag and Balikatan patches on Self-Defense Force soldier’s arm
7. Philippines and US officials and military officials linking arms
8. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Of Staff General Romeo Brawner, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and US Lieutenant General James Glynn during photo opps
9. Screen, pan down
10. Philippine exercise director Major General Francisco Lorenzo with US counterpart Lieutenant General James Glynn during briefing
11. Balikatan exercise patch on Glynn’s arm
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Lieutenant General James Glynn, U.S. Marine Corps:
“The focus of Balikatan over the course of 40 iterations has adapted in time but to the notion of a full battle test that is the idea for us to assess and improve upon our preparedness and, yeah, we collaboratively, the US Department of Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we exist to ensure that we are ready should one occur. And we will…we are ready.”
13. US marines with soldiers from Japan and Philippines
STORYLINE:
Thousands of allied American and Filipino forces opened annual combat drills Monday that are set to include repelling an island attack to simulate the defense of the Philippine archipelago and seas in a “full-scale battle scenario” that has antagonized China.
"We are ready,” U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn told a news conference when asked if U.S. and Philippine forces have built up the capability to address any major act of aggression in the Taiwan Straits or the South China Sea after years of joint combat exercises.
The annual Balikatan military exercises between the longtime treaty allies are scheduled from April 21 to May 9 with about 9,000 American and 5,000 Filipino military personnel. Fighter jets, warships and an array of weaponry including a U.S. Marine anti-ship missile system will be involved, U.S. and Philippine military officials said.
China has steadfastly opposed such war drills in or near the disputed South China Sea and in northern Philippine provinces close to Taiwan, especially if they involve U.S. and allied forces that Beijing says aim to contain it and, consequently, threaten regional stability and peace.
The exercises are set to include a mock allied counter-assault against an enemy attack on an island, the use of a barrage of artillery and missile fire to sink a mock enemy ship, joint navy sails in or near the disputed South China Sea and aerial combat surveillance, according to the Philippine military.
AP video shot by: Joeal Calupitan
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