The Balikatan exercises held by the United States and the Philippines militaries kicked off across the main island of Luzon on Monday.

The exercise will be the largest military drill between the two countries, including approximately 8,900 personnel.

“The friendship and trust between their respective armed forces will allow the United States and the Philippines to succeed together across the entire spectrum of military operations,” said US Major General Jay Bargeron.

The exercise also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the US-Philippine security cooperation, a month ahead of the upcoming Philippine presidential election.

Exercise Balikatan is the most prominent annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.

The Tagalog word Balikatan means "shoulder-to-shoulder". The exercises have been the cornerstone of Philippines–United States military relations since the closure of U.S. bases in the Philippines.

Australian armed forces have participated in Balikatan exercises annually since 2014. Australia has a visiting forces agreement, a type of status of forces agreement, with the Philippines called the Philippines–Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.

The Philippines is open to other allied countries participating provided that they too have a similar forces agreement. (ILKHA)