AFP prepares for 2023 Balikatan exercises with US

by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines-United States (U.S.) alliance is “rock solid,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Friday, February 3.

Manalo made the remark after he met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who visited Manila.

“I had a very good first meeting with [Defense Secretary] Austin. There’s no doubt—PH-U.S. Alliance is rock solid,”

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is preparing for this year’s joint military exercises with the United States called Balikatan amid a refreshed security alliance between the two countries that would give U.S. forces greater access to local military bases.

This year’s joint activities are expected to be bigger, considering the expansion of coverage of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to include four more Philippine military bases where U.S. forces can operate on a temporary basis.

Among the areas being readied for the Balikatan exercises are those in Palawan and in parts of the West Philippine Sea under

He said it was up from the “very good” +63 that the President obtained in a similar survey on Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Duterte, meanwhile, obtained a net satisfaction rating of “excellent” +77 in December, up from “excellent” +73 in October.

SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of at