PH, US soldiers' mobilization in north Luzon no cause for alarm -- Army
Sabrah light tanks from the Philippine Army's (PA) Armor Division are featured in a parade during the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in the City of Manila on June 12, 2025. (Photo: PA)
The Philippine Army (PA) advised the public on Saturday, June 14, not to be alarmed when they see military trucks traveling in north Luzon.
The troop mobilization is part of a bilateral large-scale logistics training between the armies of the Philippines and the United States, according to PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala.
“The Philippine Army and the U.S. Army Pacific are set to conduct a bilateral large-scale logistics training geared at enhancing operational mobility, interoperability, and readiness between the two forces on June 16 to June 18, 2025,” he said.
The exercise will include 1,200 Filipino and American troops from the PA’s 5th Infantry Division and US Army’s 25th Infantry Division.
“Participating troops, utilizing military vehicles, will travel from Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija to Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Isabela, passing through various towns in Central and Northern Luzon,” Dema-ala added.
The PA said the troop movement is part of Exercise Salaknib Phase 2, and “poses no threat to the general populace.”
“Community members are advised to be aware of the convoy’s presence on roads and to exercise caution while driving near military vehicles,” the Army spokesperson said.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido previously stated that large-scale logistics and sustainment are areas of strategic interest to the PA as it enhances its territorial defense posture.
“Strengthening our logistics capability particularly for large-scale deployment and ground force sustainment is vital in our shift to external security operations,” he said.