PH, US open biggest joint military exercises

by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines and the United States formally opened the biggest iteration of the Balikatan exercise on Tuesday, April 11 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

With over 17,500 combined troops from the AFP and the US Indo-Pacific Command, the 38th iteration of the annual joint military drills will highlight four major events: Command Post Exercise, Cyber Defense Exercise, Field Training Exercise, and Humanitarian Civic Assistance.

Present in the opening ceremony were US Chargé d'affaires Heather Variava, US Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Loss Carlson; AFP

Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino; US Exercise Director Representative Major General Eric Austin of the US Marine Corps; and Philippine Exercise Director Major General Marvin Licudine of the Philippine Army.

In his remarks, General Centino said for the AFP in particular, this year's Balikatan exercise is "most timely" as the Philippine military fast-tracks the enhancement of its capabilities for maritime security and domain awareness, as well as the employment concept of newly acquired equipment and weapon systems under its modernization program and application of newly developed doctrines "with the end-in-view of projecting a credible defense posture."

Variava stressed that this year's joint military activities will be the biggest ever which, she said, is "an indication of the growth of our alliance and how it continues to evolve to meet our shared goals."

On the 38th iteration of the Balikatan, the participating forces will enhance their joint and combined capabilities in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire exercise, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Major General Austin said Balikatan signifies a more robust security relationship between the Philippines and the US, which are longtime allies.

"Balikatan is an important opportunity to train shoulderto-shoulder and build trust and confidence that enable our forces to respond to crises and contingencies as a team," shared.

Meanwhile, Major General

Licudine emphasized the importance of the Balikatan to both forces.

"It builds interoperability, enhances capabilities, and demonstrates mutual defense of the Philippine sovereign territory," he said. Exercise Balikatan, to this day, remains one of the best training opportunities to improve both countries' military arms. In this historic event, the CSAFP urged the participants to embody professionalism, excellence, and the spirit of camaraderie.

"I am confident that both our Armed Forces shall reap invaluable benefits from this Balikatan Exercise as we continue to pursue our shared goals of regional peace, security, and stability," Centino said.

The opening salvo of the Balikatan was held in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Monday as Filipino and American soldiers trained side by side in knock-out bunker and room clearing operations.

At the same time, partner nation Australia will also participate in some events, and officials from Japan are expected to observe some.

Furthermore, different assets and weapon systems will be utilized for various activities. g

PH keeps tight watch over growing Taiwan Strait tensions

MANILA – The Philippines continues to monitor developments over growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait as China caps its three-day war games around Taiwan, the country’s top diplomat said Tuesday.

In a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) forum on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said a conflict would spell disaster, specifically to the Philippines given its close proximity to the island.

The top diplomat reiterated that any kind of escalation of tensions, more so a military conflict, puts at risk the over 100,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan.

“[A]ny kind of escalation of tensions or, even worse, some kind of a conflict, military conflict, would have really adverse repercussions on the

Philippines,” he said. Manalo then reiterated his call for all parties to engage in a dialogue.

Over the weekend, Beijing sent warships and fighter jets around Taiwan for military drills following Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s transit to the United States.

TheChinese Foreign Ministry said the war games is meant to serve as a “stern warning to the provocative activities of Taiwan independence secessionist forces and their collusion with external forces.”

China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, firmly opposes any form of official contact between the U.S. and Taiwan.

The Philippines, like the US, adheres to the one-China principle and recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the