AFP prepares for 2023 Balikatan...

PAGE 1 jurisdiction of the AFP’s Western Command.

“The AFP and the U.S. Armed Forces are once again holding the 38th iteration of annual bilateral Balikatan exercises. Although this is a bilateral activity, the AFP takes the lead in planning and execution, supported by the U.S. Armed Forces with other like-minded nations as observers,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar announced Monday, Feb 6.

“Balikatan 38-2023 will result in the development of the AFP capability not only in the conduct of external defense operations but also in fulfilling its obligation in working with other countries in the region against terrorism and other threats,” he added.

Aguilar said the AFP is grateful to Sens. Francis Tolentino, Francis Escudero and Sherwin Gatchalian for their support for the implementation of the EDCA, which “is in line with our treaty obligation as contained in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951.”

Since its signing in 2014, EDCA – according to Aguilar – has continuously facilitated the conduct of military exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations in support of the AFP’s mission.

“Likewise, with the threat of climate change, our partnership with modern and well-equipped countries such as the United States of America will develop the capability of our troops in executing HADR operations in times of natural calamities and disasters,” Aguilar said.

“In addition to capability development, our engagement with a friend and a long-time ally also brings economic activities and opportunities that will benefit the people of the host local government units,” he added.

More lawmakers, meanwhile, have voiced support for an expanded EDCA, with Cagayan de Oro