AFP chief lauds gains from PHL-US Balikatan 2019

Armed Forces chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. declared on Friday the success of the two-week long Balikatan exercises as he aims to forge better military alliances with the United States and other nations.

Madrigal particularly lauded the presence of representatives from Japan, Canada, South Korea, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore for their participation in the international observers program of the exercise this year.

"We hope that through the international observers program, you were also able to gain insights on interoperability and combined operations, as well as to have meaningful exchange of ideas and best practices which will eventually benefit our respective armed forces," Madrigal said in his closing remarks.

Madrigal also said the diversity of the annual military exercises has led to many breakthroughs on how the Philippines and the United States can improve its security and disaster response efforts.

He thus emphasized the importance of continuing the Balikatan exercises, which entered its 35th anniversary this year.

"It is imperative that we continue to strengthen cooperation with allies and partners in order to expand and adapt these relationships in dealing with new challenges and threats," Madrigal said.

"Our differences were never a hindrance. Rather, it served as our connection as we complement each other's strengths and shortfalls. Our unity, trust, and interoperability made the distances between our countries insignificant," he added.

Madrigal said all the scheduled events finished either on time or earlier than expected, saying the annual military exercises with the United States have been an integral part of the AFP's innovation efforts.

Occidental Mindoro was one of the venues for the Balikatan exercises this year, where Philippine-US troops trained on how to handle foreign invaders, but the AFP clarified the exercise is not aimed against a particular country.  —Joseph Tristan Roxas/NB, GMA News