Philippine military vehicle involved in accident during return from "Shoulder-to-Shoulder" exercise, resulting in one soldier's death
Xinhua News Agency, Manila, May 10 (Reporter Li Meng) According to news released by the Philippine military on the 10th, a military truck was involved in an accident on the 9th while returning to the base from the "Balikatan" joint military exercise, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuries to several others.
According to Philippine media reports, this is the first publicly disclosed incident of a soldier's death related to the 2026 "Balikatan" exercise. Philippine Army spokesperson Louis Demala-Ara stated that around 2 PM on the 9th, a military truck traveling on the highway suddenly lost control, veered off the embankment, and rolled over several times. The incident occurred in the province of Benguet in northern Philippines.
Demala-Ara said that the military truck was returning to the base camp from the "Balikatan" exercise, and one soldier was pronounced dead at the scene, while four other injured personnel were urgently transported to the hospital.
The 2026 US-Philippines "Balikatan" joint military exercise took place from April 20 to May 8, with armed forces from seven countries, including the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, participating.
A military truck from the Philippine Army was involved in an accident on May 9, 2023, in Bongabong, Philippines, resulting in one soldier's death and multiple injuries. The truck was returning from the 'Shoulder to Shoulder' joint military exercise when it lost control and rolled over. This incident marks the first reported fatality associated with the 2026 exercise.
- A military truck accident occurred on May 9, 2023.
- One soldier was killed and several others were injured.
- The accident happened while returning from the 'Shoulder to Shoulder' military exercise.
- The exercise involved forces from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and other countries.
- This is the first reported soldier death related to the 2026 exercise.