Balikatan 2020 canceled amid COVID-19 threat — US Indo-Pacific Command

The United States Indo-Pacific Command has canceled the Balikatan exercises between troops from the Philippines and the United States following the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The cancellation of the joint military exercises, scheduled from May 4 to 15, was  in accordance with the international travel restrictions implemented by the two countries, the command said.

It was also suspended due to the concerns for the health and safety of the participating exercise forces and local populations near the planned exercise areas.

“In light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19 pandemic and in the best interest of the health and safety of both countries’ forces, it is prudent to cancel Balikatan 2020,” Admiral Phil Davidson, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said.

“We remain deeply committed to our long-standing alliance and friendship," Davidson added.

According to Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado, chief of the Armed Forces Education, Training and Doctrine Command, the Philippines has agreed to cancel the military exercises given the present public health situation.

"Kinonsider na rin 'yan ni Chief of Staff... bale inadvisan niya 'yung J8 namin na i-cancel na rin niya talaga," Bordado, co-director of the Balikatan 2020, told reporters.

"We are in an extraordinary time at talagang kumbaga marami ring mapapahamak kung magpatuloy pa rin 'yung Balikatan, malaking exercise 'yan eh," Bordado added.

More than 10,000 contingents from the Philippines and other countries were supposed to participate in the said military training, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

Visiting Forces Agreement

The series of annual joint military training is being held under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

In February, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the abrogation of the VFA, which allows American soldiers to regularly train with their Filipino counterparts in the country, after the US revoked the visa of his close aide and former police chief now senator, Ronald dela Rosa.

In Feb. 11, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. signed and transmitted to the US Embassy the notice of termination of the Philippines’ VFA with Washington.

Under the accord, the VFA “shall remain in force until the expiration of 180 days from the date on which either party gives the other party notice in writing that it desires to terminate the agreement.” 

The canceled Balikatan exercises was within the 180-day period that the VFA is still in effect. — Anna Felicia Bajo with Michaela del Callar/RSJ, GMA News