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AFP, US military open Balikatan exercise amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US military opened the 36th Balikatan Exercise with a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday.
During the ceremony, AFP chief General Cirilito Sobejana said the exercise—an annual activity the Philippine and US militaries take part in—is a learning opportunity for both Filipino and American soldiers as well as their allies in the region.
This year's Balikatan will include a bilateral staff exercise, close air support training, subject matter exchanges, maritime security training, and humanitarian and civic assistance activities, the AFP said.
These events will be conducted in areas within the Northern Luzon Command and Southern Luzon Command, it added.
As part of Balikatan's humanitarian and civic assistance activities, participants are building two classrooms and a daycare center in Plaridel, Bulacan; a classroom in Atimonan, Quezon; and a health center in Mauban, Quezon.
The projects started March 26 and are set to be completed by April 23, the day the Balikatan will also conclude.
The AFP also noted in light of strict health protocol due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of participants from both militaries has been decreased to 736 from the AFP and 225 from the US Armed Forces.
“Though this year’s exercises are toned down because of the prevailing health crisis, which has affected not only the Philippines, but similarly the entire world, these circumstances will however not diminish nor hamper the real intent of the Balikatan Exercises—that is, to foster a stronger and more robust military relationship, and interoperability between our two Armed Forces,” said General Sobejana.
US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d'Affaires John Law said joint exercises like Balikatan demonstrate their shared commitment to peace and stability and the adaptability of US and Philippine forces.
“The United States will continue to seek ways, even during the pandemic, to strengthen our security cooperation,” Law said.
Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cesar Yano, who presided over the ceremony, said this year’s exercise will reinvigorate the alliance between the Philippines and the US.
AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo, who is also the Balikatan exercise director, said they are still aiming to achieve their objective in the exercise despite the reduced number of participants.
“Against this backdrop and these challenges notwithstanding, the decrease is only in terms of number and never in the participating nations’ passion and desire to meet the steep objectives set forth in every exercise,” Arevalo said.
Arevalo’s US counterpart Colonel Aaron Brunk stressed the importance of the bilateral exercise.
“By training together, our militaries build upon each other and strengthen each other. May this exercise and this experience in the next couple of weeks add value to our partnership and our friendship,” Brunk said.
Balikatan is a Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-to-shoulder,” which AFP said characterizes the spirit of the exercise and represents the partnership between the US and the Philippines.
The Balikatan exercise was cancelled last year as the COVID-19 pandemic was declared and the world was reeling from its impact, Arevalo said. — BM, GMA News
