PH, US Navy forces hold gunnery exercise at Balikatan 2025

Personnel of the Philippine Navy and United States Navy joined forces on Friday for a live-fire gunnery exercise (GUNNEX) off the coast of Zambales as part of the Multilateral Maritime Event (MME) of Balikatan 2025.

The GUNNEX was successfully held 21 nautical miles off the coast of San Felipe, Zambales, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

The exercise involved live-fire maneuvers using .50 caliber guns. The Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Conrado Yap and the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Gabriela Silang joined the event.

Meanwhile, the USS Savannah and USS Comstock of the US Navy also participated in the said MME.

According to the AFP, the GUNNEX allowed the joint forces "to refine naval surface warfare tactics, improve communication interoperability, and strengthen maritime domain awareness in the West Philippine Sea."

The Philippines and the US kicked off on April 21 three weeks of military exercises at the Balikatan 2025.

The MME meanwhile began on Thursday, April 24, and will end on April 29. —KG, GMA Integrated News