DND PRESS RELEASE
May 8, 2026

QUEZON CITY, May 8, 2026 – Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. commended the success of Exercise Balikatan 41-2026, emphasizing the continuous shared commitment to stronger regional stability and readiness, in a ceremony in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, today.

While this year’s iteration is the largest yet, with more than 17,000 participating troops from the Philippines, US, and other partner nations, Secretary Teodoro congratulated the organizers, officers, and participants for a smooth execution of demonstrations without any major injuries, collateral damage or casualties from unintended or accidental targets.

“I believe that this demonstration, complex as it is, really will underscore to the host country’s audience, the Filipinos, the need to preserve our military spaces and to invest in higher technology because with precision comes safety,” Secretary Teodoro added.

The Defense Chief also envisioned incorporating more technical development and approaches for the next Balikatan exercises.

“I also look forward to the next iteration’s activities so that we can incorporate more in scope, not necessarily in scale, more scenarios, more technology, transfer of learning, but more importantly, more deterrence and more interoperability,” Secretary Teodoro said.

He also considered reviewing the aftermath of the conducted exercises in order to align and reflect what necessary improvements to be considered.

“From [Balikatan Exercise’s] aftermath, is also an information mechanism where we can channel to our partners in government the necessary adjustments and the necessary cooperation that governments can do to make communities better,” Secretary Teodoro concluded.

Balikatan, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is a longstanding annual joint military exercises, operations, and humanitarian activities between the military forces of the Philippines and US.