Philippines, U.S. kick off large-scale joint military drills

Xinhua News Agency

 

The Philippines and the United States on Monday kicked off their large-scale annual joint military drills in the Southeast Asian country.

The participants in the exercise, codenamed Balikatan 2022, include 3,800 Filipino and 5,100 U.S. military personnel, as well as observers from various armed forces in the region. As the largest iteration of the Philippines-U.S. joint drills since 2015, Balikatan 2022 will be conducted across the main Luzon island from March 28 to April 8.

According to the military, the drills will focus on “maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”

It also includes a command post exercise that tests both forces’ ability to plan, command and communicate in a simulated environment.

Balikatan, a Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is the most comprehensive among several regular Philippines-U.S. joint military exercises. The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) gives U.S. troops a legal basis to be in the Southeast Asian country for bilateral exercises, and governs the conduct of U.S. armed force personnel.

However, some Philippine politicians have expressed their concerns that the large-scale military exercise might threaten regional security.

Presidential candidate and labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman said he is “uncomfortable” with the Balikatan military training exercise, calling it “provocative.”

He said the Philippines should pursue an independent foreign policy, stressing that the country should not be a “pawn.” (Xinhua)

– ag

 

 

 

Popular

Palace reacts to China’s ban on ex-Sen. Tolentino, former Pres. spox Roque statement; issues updates on probe of ‘missing sabungeros’

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet At the Palace press briefing held this Wednesday, July 2, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro...

Gov’t remains ‘relentless’ in supporting PH Air Force — PBBM

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s continued support to the Filipino airmen and airwomen as the Philippine Air Force (PAF)...

PBBM ‘rings’ CMEPA into effectivity

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Investments serve as the lifeblood of a successful and progressive nation, paving the way for an economy that adopts to the...

‘Best is yet to come’: PBBM rallies Alex Eala after WTA finals debut

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency On Sunday, June 29, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. offered words of encouragement to tennis sensation Alex...