Ka Leody: Inappropriate to hold Balikatan amid Ukraine conflict, WPS issues

Presidential candidate and labor leader Leody de Guzman said he was not in favor of holding the Balikatan exercises, noting that it was inappropriate amid the West Philippine Sea security issues and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

“Ako ay hindi sang-ayon dahil sa situwasyon ngayon na mayroong Ukraine na nagaalala na may isang world war, may West Philippine Sea na struggle." said de Guzman during Saturday's Pandesal Forum. "Tingin ko hindi nararapat yan dahil papaypay lang yan sa krisis o security crisis na kinakaharap ng Pilipinas at ng buong mundo.” h

(I don't agree because of the current situation in Ukraine, where there are worries over a possible world war, and in the West Philippine Sea. I don't think that's appropriate because it will fan the flames of the crises that the Philippines and the world are facing.)

De Guzman underscored that Balikatan should be suspended because of these crises.

On Monday, March 28, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States (US) military kicked off its largest-ever joint military exercise dubbed the 37th Balikatan Exercise.

AFP chief General Andres Centino said the exercise would strengthen the “interoperability” of the two countries' armed forces and would “decisively” contribute to the peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

A total of 3,800 AFP members and 5,100 US military personnel would participate in the March 28 to April 8 joint military exercise — the largest iteration of the annual event since the coronavirus outbreak in the country in 2020. — DVM, GMA News