WEBVTT X-TIMESTAMP-MAP=LOCAL:00:00:00.000,MPEGTS:0 00:00.121 --> 00:04.201 The U.S. and the Philippines have ended their annual joint military exercises 00:04.211 --> 00:08.551 known as Balikatan which means a shoulder to shoulder in Tagalog 00:08.561 --> 00:11.841 marriage. Ramos reports full CNA from Metro Manila. 00:12.941 --> 00:17.971 After nearly 3 weeks of intense of military drills, the 2026 Monday that 00:17.981 --> 00:22.961 the exercises have officially come to a close it more risks with officials 00:22.971 --> 00:28.171 describe as the largest and most multinational by the current exercise 00:28.181 --> 00:33.861 ever held in the Philippines around 17,000 combined troops participated in 00:33.871 --> 00:40.711 the annual defense rehearsal this year. It expanded into a 7 country exercise 00:40.721 --> 00:45.781 involving not only the Philippines and the United States, but also Australia, 00:46.071 --> 00:49.051 New Zealand, France, Canada and Japan. 00:49.851 --> 00:55.401 The participation of 1000, 400 Japan Self-Defense Force Personal this year 00:55.411 --> 01:00.801 also marked a historic tenfold increase in Japan's troop deployment from the 01:00.811 --> 01:05.711 previous year on Wednesday in an office nor there Philippine defense Secretary 01:05.721 --> 01:10.161 Gilberto should order junior and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro 01:10.171 --> 01:16.261 Koizumi. Witness the live fire exercise of Japan. Skype 88 surface to ship 01:16.271 --> 01:21.471 missile system. Japan's participation this year coincided with the 70th 01:21.481 --> 01:26.851 anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties with the Philippines. 01:26.861 --> 01:31.901 It also marked Japan's first ever participation in live fire drills and by 01:31.911 --> 01:36.491 the time since it's reciprocal access agreement with the Philippines came into 01:36.501 --> 01:38.761 effect in September 2025. 01:39.501 --> 01:44.811 this year's balikatan also coincided with a 70 the 5th anniversary of the 01:44.821 --> 01:49.871 mutual defense Treaty between Manila and Washington. Further highlighting 01:49.881 --> 01:54.941 deepening military cooperation between the 2 allies. Despite geopolitical 01:54.951 --> 01:55.761 tensions, 01:56.211 --> 02:00.511 the firm Secretary 2 daughters said the Philippines will be reviewing this 02:00.521 --> 02:05.281 year's balika time to assess how it can improve external defense. 02:05.651 --> 02:10.101 She said the parents exercise as much as it is a training exercise 02:10.901 --> 02:13.721 and no country works. It's so 02:14.841 --> 02:22.191 will not be there in any external aggression or in need, but then show 02:22.201 --> 02:24.151 future threat whatsoever. 02:24.681 --> 02:30.791 Unlike previous years, the exercises focused heavily on bialystok combat 02:30.801 --> 02:35.871 scenarios, including the territorial defence cyber warfare and maritime 02:35.881 --> 02:41.051 security with operations conducted in northern the sign. But time the U.S. and 02:41.061 --> 02:47.001 Palau and for areas near key flashpoints such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. 02:48.131 --> 02:53.121 Philippine and U.S. officials stress that the drills were not directed at any 02:53.131 --> 02:59.671 specific country. China has criticized exercises and conducted parallel drills 02:59.681 --> 03:04.741 near Scarborough Shoal reflecting heightened geopolitical tensions in the 03:04.751 --> 03:05.201 region. 03:06.231 --> 03:12.131 Meanwhile, progressive group Bible audience by an or by on stage a protest 03:12.141 --> 03:17.421 city outside company. Now the condemning the exercises and accusing the bobbing 03:17.431 --> 03:22.861 that allowing the Philippines to be used as a staging ground for U.S. military 03:22.871 --> 03:23.801 operations. 03:25.441 --> 03:31.931 Despite the criticism, defense officials seen the final cut and 2026 strengthen 03:31.941 --> 03:37.421 the country's external defense full church and enhances peace, security and 03:37.431 --> 03:43.061 stability in the Indo-Pacific region as they look to expand the coalition next 03:43.071 --> 03:43.751 year. 03:44.211 --> 03:48.541 But to get them, 41 was never simply about conducting a do with these people 03:48.551 --> 03:54.161 is about strengthening the ability to respond together in real complex 03:54.171 --> 04:01.131 conditions. And that matters because in today's security environment, readiness 04:01.141 --> 04:02.771 cannot be improvise. 04:03.061 --> 04:06.281 That in turn almost reporting for CNA from Metro Manila.