MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and United States ended their two-week military exercises on Friday (April 23), adjusting to limitations foisted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Balikatan showcases the strength and resolve of the Philippine-US Alliance,” said US embassy charg d’affaires John Law at the closing ceremony of Balikatan exercises at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday.
The large-scale exercise called Balikatan, a Filipino phrase which means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” was toned down due to the pandemic. More than 200 soldiers participated from the US side while 415 joined from the Philippine side. The number of participants from both countries usually exceed 2,000.
The exercise was…
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