Philippines, US conclude 36th Balikatan Exercise

The 36th Balikatan Exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Armed Forces has been concluded through a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday.

In a statement, the AFP said the closing ceremony was attended by Philippine military chief General Cirilito Sobejana, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d'Affaires John Law, among others.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Balikatan activities were scaled down in terms of numbers of events and participants. Health and safety protocols were observed.

Only 225 US military personnel and 415 AFP personnel participated this year.

Major events were conducted at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Airbase in Tarlac, where combined Air Force and Special Operations forces joined close air support training to increase the interoperability across the joint forces.

In Clark, Pampanga, the AFP Northern Luzon Command Battle Staff and the US Indo-Pacific Command representatives participated in a bilateral staff exercise.

Meanwhile in Taguig City, the Philippine and US Special Operations Forces conducted a Bilateral Staff Academic Seminar.

To avoid the possible spread of COVID-19, the AFP said the academic discussions and subject matter expert exchanges were conducted virtually.

The Philippine Air Force and US Pacific Air Forces also held a virtual Global Health Engagement and other virtual training on various air operations and capabilities.

Philippine and US service members finished the constructions of two classrooms and a daycare center in Plaridel, a classroom in Atimonan, and a health clinic in Mauban, all in Quezon Province, as part of their humanitarian and civic assistance activities.

“Allow me to convey my gratitude to the US Government, represented here by Mr. John Law, for its unwavering support to this annual exercise,” Lorenzana said.

“I am likewise grateful for your constant and continued assurance of the ironclad commitment to our Mutual Defense Treaty,” he added.

The exercise officially opened on April 12 and was conducted in Northern and Southern Luzon for two weeks, the AFP said.

Balikatan is a Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-to-shoulder,” which the AFP said characterizes the spirit of the exercise and represents the partnership between the US and the Philippines.

The Balikatan exercise was canceled last year as the COVID-19 pandemic was declared and the world was reeling from its impact. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News